Luxembourg vs Lithuania Predictions

International minnows Luxembourg and Lithuania face-off at the Stade Josy Barthel on Friday evening, hoping to start their respective Euro 2020 qualification campaigns in a positive manner.

The rank outsiders share Group B with much stronger looking Ukraine, Serbia and Portugal sides, and in truth, their fixtures against each other represent both teams’ biggest chances to get some points on the board.

With just 3 defeats from their last 13 international contests, Luxembourg are enjoying what is arguably the best period in their footballing history.

Under the instruction of talented Head Coach Luc Holtz, Luxembourg have made the most of their limited talented pool and resources over the past 2 years, trusting in and developing the country’s best young players at senior level.

In total, Luxembourg have been beaten only twice in 11 games on home soil, recording some impressive wins over the likes of Georgia, Hungary, Albania and Moldova along the way.

In contrast, Lithuania were undone in all but 3 of their international matches since the end of 2016 and Valdas Urbonas’ charges are currently in the midst of a dreadful run of 8 straight defeats.

The Lithuanians finished bottom and second bottom in their last two competitive international groups in the Nations League and World Cup qualification round respectively, and a change in fortunes doesn’t look likely anytime soon.

Remarkably, Lithuania’s only away win of any description in 5 seasons was their narrow 1-0 friendly game triumph in Armenia a little under a year ago. Their last competitive victory on the road came in San Marino in early September 2014.

Luxembourg and Lithuania haven’t played each other since a non-competitive encounter in 2013. Luxembourg emerged 2-1 winners that day, and their goalscorers on that occasion, Aurelien Joachim and Stefano Bensi, should both be involved again this week.

Luxembourg’s fantastic home form, which includes 3 wins from their last 4 games at the Stade Josy Barthel, should give them the momentum they need to see off an underwhelming looking Lithuania on Friday.

We’re backing the home side to secure 3 early points in their unlikely bid for Euro 2020 qualification, and we’re tipping them to come out on the right side of a 2-1 final scoreline.