- Lithuania have taken just two points from their opening three matches in Group G, conceding five to Denmark last time out.
- Netherlands have ten goals in their last two qualifiers, keeping clean sheets in both games.
Dutch defence to dominate in Kaunas
A solid Dutch team should put Lithuania in their place on Sunday when two sides with very different styles of play go head-to-head in a key Group G qualifier. Our Lithuania vs Netherlands prediction points towards Ronald Koeman’s side as heavy favorites to earn three points in Kaunas, where weather conditions are likely to be mild and dry for this matchup.
Lithuania boss Edgaras Jankauskas will set up a compact, narrow defense to try to frustrate the visitors, who will try to break down the hosts and grab goals by exploiting counterattacking or set-piece opportunities. Jankauskas’s men have been disciplined and have built their play around the creative spark of Gvidas Gineitis in midfield, the sturdiness of Paulius Golubickas and the youthful energy of Armandas Kučys up front.
The Netherlands, on the other hand, play a possession-based, patient game with a flexible framework that allows Koeman to switch between a back three and a back four. The Oranje have the depth to match up against any opponent tactically, with Virgil van Dijk providing leadership and defensive stability to keep the team on course for direct World Cup qualification. This Lithuania vs Netherlands preview highlights how the tactical flexibility of the Dutch may prove decisive.
Oranje on track for automatic spot
After a return of six points from two games and a goal difference of +10, our Lithuania vs Netherlands prediction is that the Netherlands are in pole position to qualify for the 2025 World Cup with games in hand. A win here would strengthen their position in the group and take pressure off Koeman’s team ahead of tougher fixtures later in the campaign.
Lithuania have the capability to be solid in the matchup but, according to this Lithuania vs Netherlands prediction, it’s hard to see how they create enough problems to make this a tight matchup. A draw would be a fantastic result for the home team, who would stay in with a slim chance of reaching a play-off, but it would shake up Group G.
The Netherlands have been in great form since June, when they thumped Malta 8-0 and beat Finland 2-0 in Group G. The Spaniards managed to hold them to two draws in the Nations League prior to a narrow exit on penalties, but that was before Memphis Depay rediscovered his top form and began charging towards the national scoring record. The best Lithuania vs Netherlands betting tips suggest backing the visitors to secure a comfortable win.
Depay is on fire
With Depay leading the line, the Netherlands are in red-hot form, having scored ten in their two most recent qualifiers without conceding a single goal. Lithuania have failed to score in three of their last five internationals and were thumped 0 - 5 by Denmark, who played a similar style to the Netherlands.
The value on the Orange to win to nil is worth taking here, as is the correct score bet for the away side to triumph by a couple or three goals. Lithuania have not won a game since summer and face a Dutch side that have improved dramatically since then.