Malta vs Lithuania prediction, H2H and probable lineups – 7 June 2025
One of the fixtures of matchday 3 in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers will take place on Saturday in Ta' Qali, where Malta host Lithuania. I suggest betting on goals in this encounter, as the odds look promising for this market.
Match preview
Malta’s national team continues to stagnate, plagued by the same old problems — lack of creativity in attack and defensive vulnerability. Emilio De Leo’s men have lost both of their opening qualification matches without scoring a single goal, and their losing streak in WC qualifiers has now reached four games with an aggregate score of 1:16. Especially worrying is their first-half record — Malta consistently falls behind early and struggles to get into the game.
The squad is also weakened by suspensions: three defensive players are ruled out, further exposing their back line. Historically, Malta have been extremely ineffective at home — over 44 World Cup qualifiers, they’ve scored more than one goal just once. All this leaves them in a critical position in the group right at the start of the campaign.
Lithuania look more organized than their opponents, although results are still modest. After a narrow defeat to Poland, Jankauskas’s side managed to snatch a draw against Finland, showing character and a certain structure in midfield. However, the attack continues to lack punch — the Baltic side have scored more than one goal in a game only twice in their last 17 World Cup qualifiers.
Their away form is even bleaker: 10 defeats in their last 13 away qualifiers and only four goals scored in that stretch. Despite a youthful core, Lithuania remain a team with limited resources, capable of competing only against similarly struggling sides. Still, in this particular match, Lithuania seem slightly better organized.
Probable lineups
- Malta: Henry Bonello – James Carragher, Zach Muscat, Enrico Pepe – Teddy Teuma, Joseph Mbong, Matthew Guillaumier, Ryan Camenzuli, Alex Satariano – Kyrian Nwoko, Paul Mbong.
- Lithuania: Edvinas Gertmonas – Pijus Sirvys, Artemijus Tutyškinas, Edgaras Utkus, Kipras Kažukolovas – Vykintas Slivka, Gvidas Gineitis, Paulius Golubickas, Domantas Antanavičius – Gytis Paulauskas, Manfredas Ruzgis.
Match facts and head-to-head
- The last two head-to-head matches between Malta and Lithuania went under 2.5 goals
- Malta have scored only one goal in their last four World Cup qualifiers
- Lithuania have lost 10 of their last 13 away World Cup qualifiers.
Prediction
This match is unlikely to deliver fireworks or open football. Both teams struggle to create and convert chances, and their recent qualifying records back that up. Given the lack of attacking firepower on both sides, the best bet is on "Total under 2.0" goals at odds of 1.75.
