Lithuania vs Northern Ireland Predictions

• Lithuania have lost their last six internationals, failing to score in five.
• Northern Ireland have won just one of their 13 starts under manager Ian Baraclough, losing eight.
• The Green and White Army have failed to net in three of their last five matches, including in both of their World Cup qualifiers so far.

Two poor sides to share the spoils in Vilnius

Northern Ireland need to beat Lithuania this Thursday night to maintain hopes of qualifying for Qatar 2022, but we think The Green and White Army may end up playing out a drab draw in Vilnius.

Northern Ireland have just one point on the board from their first two qualifiers following a 2-0 defeat in Italy and a goalless stalemate at home to Bulgaria, and they already have a huge deficit to make up in Group C with The Azzurri and Switzerland boasting 100% records.

While there will still be five games left to play, The Green and White Army will be all but out of contention if they fail to triumph in Vilnius and the Irish simply can’t be backed here at a shade of odds-on.

Lithuania are the worst team in the group and have lost each of their last six internationals, but Northern Ireland have won just one of their 13 starts since Ian Baraclough replaced Michael O’Neill, with eight of those matches ending in defeat.

Under 2.5 goals rates a decent alternative to the 1X2 market this Thursday, for what’s likely to be a low quality contest at LFF Stadionas. Lithuania have failed to strike in five of their last six games, but Northern Ireland haven’t been much better in that department in recent times.

Baraclough’s side stuck three past Malta in late May, though they’ve drawn a blank in three of their four other matches this calendar year.

As such, under 2.5 looks the safest option for this midweek qualifier and it could be worth chancing a 0-0 draw based on how blunt these nations have been up front over the past few months.