Verdict: Each groups rating
Greatest odds: 19/25
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Following a slim win in Finland, Lithuania heavyweights Zalgiris are in pole place to progress to the Convention League quarter-finals. The sport shall be performed at LFF Stadium the place the hosts loved nice success just lately. With not more than 5, 000 followers attending the competition, we count on the highlights to be on the pitch reasonably than within the stands.
Zalgiris Vilnius
As soon as a former Soviet Union championship competitor, Zaligiris turned essentially the most profitable Lithuanian soccer membership for the reason that breakout from the Soviet Union block (1990). After lacking 1st place in Lithuania’s inaugural home competitors, the Inexperienced-Whites received back-to-back titles within the following seasons.
Though the guests have been usually hit by inside issues that diminished the sector efficiency, FK Zalgiris turned essentially the most profitable membership in Lithuanian soccer with 10 championships received. Moreover, the Vilnius outfit established itself because the dominant power within the final 34 years by profitable likewise the Lithuanian Cup (14 titles) and the Lithuanian Tremendous Cup (8 titles).
Nonetheless, regardless of dominating the home competitions, Zalgiris struggled to compete in Europe dealing with groups from prime championships. Nonetheless, regardless of the plain worth deficit and being knocked out within the first rounds, the Inexperienced-Whites achieved a historic qualification to the Convention League group stage after defeating Swedish heavyweights Malmo (3-0 on mixture).
Zalgiris turned the first-ever Lithuanian membership within the group levels of a UEFA competitors, the place sadly they completed final in Group H after being seeded with Basel, Slovan Bratislava and Punyik. But, the Lithuanians weren’t removed from reaching the knock-out stage after profitable 5 factors within the group stage.
Heading in the direction of their 11 championship crown in nice model after dominating A-Lyga throughout all the season, Zalgiris is tipped to progress additional in Europe after taking a vital benefit in Finland. Having a 7-point lead domestically, the Vilnius outfit goals to get the job achieved in opposition to VPS after scoring the first spherical winner within the stoppage time.
Crew Information
Central midfielder Leandro Fernandes won’t play in opposition to VPS sustaining a meniscus harm. With all different payers obtainable, Vladimir Cheburin can line up his finest squad. The skilled Kazakh supervisor is anticipated to make use of the identical 4-4-2 system that yielded nice success domestically and within the 1st leg contest in Finland.
VPS
Vaasan Palloseura aka VPS didn’t make any impression on the European stage. Regardless of taking part in within the Europa League qualifiers for 3 consecutive seasons (2014-2017), the Vaasa outfit progressed a single time within the second part by producing a shock again in 2017 by eliminating Slovenian heavyweights Olimpija Ljubljana.
Though the Finland aspect began as underdogs, a double win with the identical rating (1-0) returned VPS’s most profitable European achievement. Nonetheless, Zalgiris took benefit of Jussi Nuorela’s staff’s struggles that was prolonged within the 1st leg, following three home failures.
Being battered by SJK within the End Cup (5-1) was adopted by one other two dismal outputs that noticed VPS shedding each video games in opposition to Inter Turku (3-1) and Ekenas (2-3). Moreover, by including the 2 targets conceded within the first leg in opposition to Zalgiris, Jussi Nuorela’s staff’s defensive output was the worst run for the reason that End boss took cost again in 2021.
Nonetheless, regardless of this evident fall, the guests’ are nonetheless within the tie after scoring a second-half objective, leaving the qualification to be determined at LFF Stadium. Moreover, a formidable away run with 5 wins in seven video games factors to VPS’s skill to get the job on the highway.
Crew Information
Vaasan Palloseura can line up the perfect formation having all of the gamers obtainable for the Vilnius journey. Whereas the attacking traces carried out effectively within the first leg, the defence wants a significant enchancment with all of the again 4 gamers performing beneath par.
Key components to think about
Zalgiris misplaced the final two championship video games earlier than profitable the primary leg in opposition to VPS
The hosts scored 12 targets within the final six aggressive video games
With a document of 15 wins, 4 attracts and three defeats, Vladimir Cheburin’s staff leads the A Lyga with a seven factors benefit over second-placed Hegelmann
Regardless of having a person despatched off, VPS managed to maintain the tie open by scoring a vital objective in opposition to Zalgiris
The guests’ final two home video games returned shameful defeats by conceding eight targets (5-1 and 3-1)
VPS received solely seven video games from 15 performed in Veikkausliiga
Conclusion
Though Zalgiris has an excellent probability to seal the qualification following the first leg win, VPS proved unpredictable. With the qualification open for grabs, we count on an open sport with targets scored at each ends.
Verdict: Each groups rating
Greatest odds: 19/25
Bookmaker: ZetBet
