Republic of Ireland welcome Lithuania to Aviva Stadium, Dublin, in an international friendly.
Both teams look to continue their preparations for the new UEFA Nations League season as Ireland prepare for a tough group in League B, whilst Lithuania play in League C.
Team News
Republic of Ireland have no fresh injury concerns to report following Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Belgium, as Caoimhin Kelleher again looks set to start in goal, with James Talbot or Max O’Leary replacing him during the second half for a first senior cap.
Jimmy Dunne, Mark Sykes and Connor Ronan meanwhile are also looking for their first caps at senior level.
Lithuania meanwhile has no fresh injury concerns to report after their win against San Marino on Friday evening.
Stat Attack
- This is the first friendly encounter between Republic of Ireland and Lithuania.
- Ireland are unbeaten in four previous meetings against Lithuania in all competitions (W3, D1).
- Lithuania are yet to win away against Republic of Ireland (D1, L1).
- Ireland have conceded first in three of the last four home matches in which they have scored at least once (W1, D3).
- Lithuania have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last ten away matches in all competitions (W2, L8), during which they scored six goals and conceded 23 goals.
Prediction
Having fought back twice for an eventual 2-2 draw against Belgium on Saturday, Ireland will definitely take the positives of how threatening they looked when got chances to attack, despite making a slow start and sloppily conceding twice.
Lithuania meanwhile did well to beat San Marino with two first-half goals but they now face a difficult test where their defence will need to be on top form, whilst also clinically taking their chances up front if they’re to get anything from this friendly.
I however can see a home win coming if Ireland continue their strong form of one defeat in their last 11 matches and play even better than they did on Saturday, which is something that I can’t see Lithuania handling across the entire match.
Prediction: ROI 2-0 Lithuania
Result: ROI 1-0 Lithuania
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