Slovakia vs Lithuania Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Slovakia managed to get off the mark in their World Cup qualifying group last month when they comprehensively beat Scotland 3-0. This came after disappointing defeats at home to England and away to Slovenia, and it leaves them in a disappointing 5th place in the group.

However, the group is wide open at the moment. England are just four points ahead at the top of the table and a win on Friday could send Slovakia to 2nd position, although that will take a miracle result from Malta.

This poor start to the qualifying campaign was a bit unexpected after their impressive showing in Euro 2016. They beat Russia and drew with England to make it through to the knockout stages of the competition, where they were outclassed by the talented Germans.

At home they do have form on their side though. They have won 11, drawn three, and lost two of their last 16 matches in Slovakia. This, in addition to their confidence boosting win over Scotland last time out, should give them enough to get over the line on Friday.

It will almost undoubtedly be Marek Hamsik who plays a big part in anything good that Slovakia do. The Napoli playmaker is the top scorer in the squad and is undoubtedly their best player. He’s a good choice for an anytime goalscorer, but Robert Mak’s brace against Scotland last month leaves a more left field choice to back as well.

Lithuania have put together a good run of results so far in this campaign, with draws against Slovenia and Scotland preceding a 2-0 win over Malta to put them in a surprising 2nd place in the group.

Away from home their record is less than impressive though. They are winless in over two years on the road, with eight of their 12 matches since ending in defeat. They have only scored in three of these matches as well, whilst Slovakia have kept a clean sheet in half of their last 16 at home.

This, along with the fact that Lithuania have conceded at least two in half of these away days, including two against minnows Malta, make a comfortable win for the hosts a likelihood. I’m backing a Slovakia -1.5 Asian Handicap Win at 2.150 along with a 3-0 correct score prediction at 7/1.