Preview: Lithuania vs. Montenegro - prediction, team news, lineups

Montenegro square off against Lithuania on Thursday evening looking to record a victory that would catapult them back into contention in Group G.

As for the home nation, they occupy bottom spot in their Euro 2024 qualification group, albeit holding the opportunity to move level on points with their next opponents.

Match preview

Over the past decade, Montenegro have dropped down the international pecking order, their most notable achievement being promotion to Group B of the UEFA Nations League.

However, the Brave Falcons will feel that they can make an impact in Euro 2024 qualifying having been provided with a group where a top-two finish is achievable.

While losing at home to Serbia may prove decisive, the stalemate with Hungary that followed has led to a scenario where they could be level on points with the latter of those nations after Thursday's fixtures.

If Montenegro defeat Lithuania and Serbia overcome Hungary in Belgrade, Montenegro would be level on points with second place as a bare minimum.

Nevertheless, this remains a team that have won just once in eight games - a 1-0 victory in Bulgaria - and boss Miodrag Radulovic knows that there is plenty of work ahead if they are to reach the Finals next summer.

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From Lithuania's perspective, this represents another game where they will be attempting to end a winless streak that has now lasted 13 games.

To their credit, Rinktine have already managed to hold Bulgaria to a 1-1 draw in Kaunas, but they went down 2-0 to Hungary on away territory last time out.

Despite the prolonged number of matches without success, Lithuania have not conceded more than twice in any of their last 10 matches, a run lasting 15 months.

When these teams met in the Nations League back in October 2018, this corresponding fixture ended in a 4-1 triumph for Montenegro, but Lithuania will feel that they are now closer to their upcoming opponents in terms of quality.

Team News

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With each of the starting lineup from the Hungary fixture at his disposal, Edgaras Jankauskas may be prepared to select the same Lithuania XI.

If alterations are made, Pijus Sirvys and Modestas Vorobjovas may be most likely to come into the team on the basis that they were half-time substitutes last time out.

Radulovic finds himself in a similar situation ahead of selecting his Montenegro side, his players having delivered a solid result versus Hungary.

Stefan Mugosa appears likely to miss out in the forward line to Nikola Krstovic, while Sead Haksabanovic is expected to remain on the substitutes' bench if Radulovic sticks with a 3-5-2 formation.

Lithuania possible starting lineup:
Gertmonas; Lekiatas, Kazukolovas; Kilmavicius, Tutyskinas; Gineitis, Uzela; Jankauskas, Sirgedas, Sesplaukis; Paulauskas

Montenegro possible starting lineup:
Mijatovic; Vujacic, Savic, Tomasevic; Vesovic, Jankovic, Savicevic, Scekic, Vukcevic; Jovetic, Krstovic

We say: Lithuania 1-2 Montenegro

Having claimed a draw with Bulgaria, Lithuania cannot be ruled out from gaining at least another share of the spoils in this contest. Nevertheless, we can only back the visitors, who should have enough quality at both ends of the pitch to come through with maximum points.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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