Lithuania to hold their own against struggling Czechs

International friendly
5pm Wednesday

Lithuania warm up for their trip to Wembley with a friendly in the Czech Republic where it’s entirely possible they can avoid defeat.

The market has the Czechs as good things, yet it is a country in transition and they are no certainties to win any match.

Under coach Karel Jarolim, who succeeded Pavel Vrba after a poor Euros, the Czechs are struggling.

Old stagers like Petr Cech, David Latafa and a handful of others, retired from the national team and home 0-0 draws against Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifying have done little to improve the nation’s mood.

They’ve also had significant withdrawals from this squad – Hoffenheim full back Pavel Kaderabek and Sampdoria striker Patrick Schick have pulled out through injury – so Jarolim takes an uninspiring group to Usti nad Labem, a venue they’ve never played at before.

Lithuania had started their World Cup programme decently enough with draws against Slovenia and Scotland and a 2-0 win over Malta. A 4-0 tonking by Slovakia has set them on their heels, however.

Lithuania are a squad who looks short of goals – their top scorer is eight-goal skipper Fiodor Cernych.

That bluntness up front makes them hard to fancy even at the huge odds on offer, but there’s no reason to think they will get chinned in a match where Edgaras Jankauskas will want to look at some of his younger players before the England game on Sunday.

They’ve failed to score in their last six friendlies so in a potentially low-scoring contest, take the evens under 2.5 goals.

Recommendation
Under 2.5 goals
1pt evens bet365, Paddy Power

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com