Lithuania vs Netherlands Prediction 07.09.2025
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Lithuania vs Netherlands Prediction
Lithuania vs Netherlands Prediction and Betting Tips for Sunday’s World Cup 2026 qualifier in Kaunas. The match will be played at the Darius and Girenas Stadium, where the hosts look to finally break their winless streak. In this article, you’ll also find expert insights from XpertStats, including our dedicated section for World Cup Predictions.
- The Netherlands remain unbeaten in World Cup 2026 qualifying but dropped points against Poland.
- Lithuania are winless in 12 straight matches, including a 1-1 draw with Malta.
- This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between Lithuania and the Netherlands.
- Memphis Depay leads Oranje in both goals and assists so far in the qualifiers.
Lithuania are stuck in a rut. Twelve matches without a win tells its own story, and Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Malta only added to the frustration. Yes, Gvidas Gineitis’ last-gasp penalty saved them from total embarrassment, but it doesn’t hide the fact that this side struggles badly in both boxes. Ranked 143rd in FIFA’s list, they’re far away from their 2008 high of 37th, and right now Edgaras Jankauskas’ men look like passengers in Group G. Still, playing at home has given them some hope, with back-to-back draws in Kaunas showing they’re no easy pushover.
Can Lithuania cause a real shock here? Honestly, it feels like a stretch. With defender Edgaras Utkus suspended after his red card against Malta, the hosts must reshuffle their backline once again. Markas Beneta could slot in for experience, but against the Netherlands’ firepower, that feels like sticking a band-aid on a bullet wound. Even so, the crowd in Kaunas will want a fight, and perhaps that’s the one intangible Lithuania can lean on.
For the Netherlands, Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Poland was a wake-up call. Ronald Koeman’s side had all the possession, all the chances, but somehow let Matty Cash steal a late equalizer. That’s football. Memphis Depay, still carrying much of the attacking load despite his move to Corinthians, remains Oranje’s talisman, leading in both goals and assists during qualifying. But questions linger: should Wout Weghorst get a bigger role up front? Can Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons add more end product? Koeman may well tweak his lineup this Sunday.
That said, the Dutch remain top of the group on goal difference, having scored 11 times in just three matches. With Virgil van Dijk marshalling the backline and Frenkie de Jong orchestrating midfield, this is a team built to dominate. Facing a side that hasn’t won in over a year, they’ll see this as the perfect chance to reassert themselves. Lithuania may dream of resistance, but the reality is that Oranje are overwhelming favourites to leave Kaunas with all three points. Expect plenty of goals, and a strong response after their midweek stumble in Rotterdam. In short, this feels like the kind of game you’d expect in bold when checking the World Cup Predictions page.
The Netherlands have a strong habit of starting games fast, and against a team like Lithuania, that could prove decisive. Oranje have scored 11 goals in their first three qualifiers, often breaking the deadlock early to put opponents under pressure. Lithuania, on the other hand, are a side that typically concede first. In fact, they needed a 96th-minute penalty just to draw against Malta on Thursday, which highlights their fragility. With Edgaras Utkus suspended in defence, their backline will lack stability against players like Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, and Wout Weghorst. This combination of attacking firepower and defensive weakness points to an early breakthrough. Once the Netherlands get in front, they rarely let go. Their experience, depth, and ability to control possession make it highly likely they’ll be leading at both half-time and full-time. Simply put, this feels like a professional, controlled away performance where Oranje dominate from start to finish.
Goals should flow in Kaunas. The Netherlands are averaging nearly four goals per game in these qualifiers, and even when they stumble, as against Poland, chances come thick and fast. Ronald Koeman’s side thrive on attacking football, with Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, and Xavi Simons all capable of delivering in the final third. Lithuania’s defence doesn’t inspire much confidence either. They conceded late against Malta and now face Oranje without Utkus, one of their most reliable defenders. While the Dutch could easily score three themselves, Lithuania might also grab a consolation. Gvidas Gineitis is showing promise in midfield, and the home crowd could lift them to create a chance or two. Still, the most logical outcome is a high-scoring affair, with the Dutch piling up goals as they chase top spot. Over 2.5 goals feels like one of the safest plays in this matchup given both form and context.
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