Preliminary decision in Lithuania?
At the moment, there’s a scramble in the Champions League qualifiers. To compete with the big boys is the goal of many national champions from the smaller leagues. But the road to the group stage of the top flight is still long and rocky. Currently, the second qualifying round is just around the corner and Zalgiris Vilnius and Malmö FF will meet there.
The Champions League should be an unattainable goal for the Lithuanians. In fact, Zalgiris have never once reached the group stage of a European competition. At least they have come a big step closer to that goal by reaching this second round, because even if they lose to the Swedish champions, they will be relegated to the third round of the Europa League and if they lose there, they will continue in the playoffs for the Conference League.
Malmö, on the other hand, already have ambitions of reaching the group stage of the top flight. In the last few years, including the pre-season, they have been able to play there several times
But first the first leg is on the agenda and the Swedish champions have to play in Lithuania. At least in front of their home crowd, the Green-Whites will want to establish a starting position that still leaves hopes open for the second leg in a week’s time. However, we tend to place our bets on an away win for the Swedes in the match between Zalgiris and Malmö.
Zalgiris – Statistics & current form
It would be a great thing for a Lithuanian club to play in the group stage of the Conference League. That’s why the performances of Zalgiris Vilnius are the focus of particular attention at home. The federation has postponed the games of the champions in the A Lyga so that Vladimir Cheburin’s team can fully concentrate on the international tasks.
Strong series for the green and white
If they were to prevail against the Swedish champions against all expectations, then they would at least be safely in the Conference League. Their current form can be seen as an encouragement, as Zalgiris have conceded only one defeat in their last 22 games. In the national league, the defending champions are also aiming for a third consecutive championship.
After 18 games, Zalgiris have 41 points on their account and lead the standings in A Lyga. The lead over Hegelmann is only two points, but the reigning champions also have two games less on their account. All in all, with the current form of the Green-Whites, one should also keep an eye on the odds on a success for the hosts before the match between Zalgiris and Malmö.
In the first qualifying round, however, the Lithuanians had big problems against Ballkani from Kosovo. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Zalgiris only decided the second leg in extra time with Mathias Oyewusi’s golden goal. The Nigerian could possibly move into the starting eleven, but it is conceivable that he will once again take on the role of a wild card against Malmö.
Predicted line-up of Zalgiris:
Gertmonas – Mikoliunas, Pavelic, Ljubisavljevic, Mamic – Kyeremeh, Gorobsov, Buff, Ourega – Oliveira, Milickovic – Coach: Cheburin
Last matches played by Zalgiris:
Champions League Qualifier
12/07/2022 – Zalgiris Vilnius 1 – 0 Ballkani
06/07/2022 – Ballkani 1 – 1 Zalgiris Vilnius
A Lyga
01/07/2022 – Zalgiris Vilnius 2 – 1 Hegelmann
26/06/2022 – Suduva 0 – 5 Zalgiris Vilnius
22/06/2022 – Zalgiris Vilnius 2 – 1 Dziugas Telsiai
Malmö – Statistics & current form
Last season Malmö FF played against Juventus Turin, Chelsea or Zenit St. Petersburg in the group stage of the Champions League. So last season, the Swedish champions’ bull run through the qualifying rounds was successful. This year, however, there is still a long way to go. The Swedes would still have to win three duels in the qualifying rounds to achieve this.
Malmö want to return to the top flight
Malmö are not only favoured over both games against the Lithuanian defending champions by the verified betting provider, but already in this first leg in Vilnius. Overall, the team around Milos Milojevic is also in a very good mood. In the last nine games, the Swedes conceded only one defeat. Therefore, you probably don’t even have to think about making a prediction about a home win between Zalgiris and Malmö.
In the Swedish Allsvenskan, however, the champions are only in third place at the moment. They are currently three points behind leaders Djurgardens. Last Saturday, Malmö visited Norrköping and picked up three important points in a 2-0 away win. Moustafa Zeidan and Isaac Kiese Thelin were the goalscorers for Malmö FF.
However, the Swedish champions now have a problem with the transfer window. The Swedish transfer period is not aligned with the UEFA calendar and so of the new arrivals Moustafa Zeidan, Joseph Ceesay and Mahame Siby, a maximum of two players will be allowed to play. In addition, Sören Rieks, Oscar Lewicki and Adi Malic will have to miss out due to injury. Captain Andreas Christiansen is likely to return to the starting eleven in their place.
Projected line-up of Malmö:
Dahlin – Beijmo, Hadzikadunic, Moisander, Olsson – Christiansen, Pena, Ceesay, Zeidan, Birmancevic – Thelin – Coach: Milojevic
Last matches played by Malmö:
Allsvenskan
16/07/2022 – IFK Norrköping 0 – 2 Malmö FF
Champions League Qualifier
13/07/2022 – Vikingur Reykjavik 3 – 3 Malmö FF
Allsvenskan
09/07/2022 – Malmö FF 3 – 0 Varbergs BoIS FC
Champions League Qualification
05/07/2022 – Malmö FF 3 – 2 Vikingur Reykjavik
Allsvenskan
01/07/2022 – GIF Sundsvall 2 – 1 Malmö FF
Zalgiris – Malmö Direct comparison / H2H-balance
Maybe this encounter with Zalgiris Vilnius is a good omen for Malmö FF, as the first and only time this pairing was in Champions League qualifying, the Swedes ended up reaching the group stage and got to face heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Shakhtyor Donetsk in the 2015/16 season.
This means that the direct comparison is also in favour of the Swedes. However, the first leg in Malmö ended in a goalless draw in July 2015. A week later, however, the Swedes won 1-0 in the Lithuanian capital. Anton Tinnerholm was the hero of the day at the time when he scored the golden goal in the 55th minute.
Zalgiris – Malmö Tip
For Zalgiris Vilnius to still have hopes of the top flight in this second round is an achievement. However, we think it is more likely that the Lithuanian champions will be involved in the group stage of the Conference League. Conversely, this means that we expect the Swedish champions to prevail in this pairing.
After all, the Lithuanian title holders have lost only once in their last 22 competitive matches. However, the Green-Whites do not usually play against teams of the quality of the visitors from Sweden in the national competitions.
There might not be as many goals, but we expect a preliminary decision in favour of the Swedish champions on Tuesday. We think that the visitors will win and have even decided to play the first leg between Zalgiris and Malmö with betting odds on a win for the Swedish champions.
