Scotland vs Lithuania Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview
Scotland take on Lithuania in World Cup qualifying Group F this Friday. Read the match predictions to find out why Scotland are the betting tip to get three points at Hampden Park.
Scotland vs Lithuania Preview
Scotland got their campaign underway in emphatic style with an easy 1-5 win away to Malta and sit top of the table on goal difference. Lithuania’s opener was somewhat more competitive as they played out a 2-2 draw at home to Slovenia which places them fourth in the group.
Gordon Strachan will be without injured right-back Alan Hutton which could see Callum Paterson hold on to a starting berth in defence. Norwich City’s Russell Martin is another option to start on the right but he’s more likely to remain in the centre with Grant Hanley. Otherwise, it looks likely to be something similar to the side that put Malta to the sword in Ta’ Qali.
Lithuania have some familiar faces in their squad, with veteran defender Deividas Cesnauskis and midfielder Arvydas Novikovas both former Hearts players. Edgaras Jankauskas will be disappointed with the way his side let a 2 goal lead slip last time out but the capitulation came after substitutions were made, so he’s likely to keep faith in the same starting XI here.
Team Predictions Scotland vs Lithuania
Scotland 4-2-3-1 formation: Marshall; Paterson, Martin, Hanley, Robertson; Fletcher, Bannan; Snodgrass, Burke, Ritchie; Martin
Lithuania 4-2-3-1 formation: Šetkus; Slavickas, Freidgeimas, Vaitkūnas, Girdvainis; Kuklys, Žulpa; Novikovas, Slivka, Černych; Valskis
Scotland vs Lithuania Betting Tips
- Scotland have won 4 drawn 2 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Lithuania have won 2 drawn 3 and lost 5 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Scotland have scored an average of 1.8 goals and conceded an average of 1.2 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Lithuania have scored an average of 0.8 goals and conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Scotland’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Lithuania’s previous 10 matches
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Scotland vs Lithuania Prediction
Having narrowly missed out on a Euro 2016 spot, Scotland were restricted to exhibition matches this summer. They played with credit despite going down 1-0 away to Italy but were outclassed in a 3-0 defeat to France. The Tartan Army will have been pleased to see their side cope with the pressure of expectation when thumping Malta last time out and will be hoping for more of the same here.
Lithuania never threatened to make it to France but have arguably played a little better recently. They kept a rare clean sheet in a 2-0 win against Estonia but were beaten 2-1 by Latvia next time out. They then frustrated Poland in a 0-0 draw but allowed Slovenia back into the game last time out.
This Scotland squad has goals in it, as evidenced by current leading scorer in UEFA qualifying Robert Snodgrass who bagged a hat-trick in the win over Malta. Gordon Strachan will be desperate to avoid any slip-ups in this potential banana skin of a match and I expect a professional performances from the hosts.
Getting an early goal will settle the nerves but either way I can see Scotland coming through this with minimal fuss. I also can’t see David Marshall having much to do between the sticks. I’m not expecting a goal rush but Scotland should win this comfortably.
Free Betting Tips
Match Prediction
Scotland to win at 1/2 with bet365
Over/Under Prediction
Under 2.5 goals at 9/13 with 888Sport
Correct Score Prediction
Scotland to win 2-0 at 27/5 with 888Sport
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