Linfield vs Zalgiris

Linfield and FK Zalgiris square off in the second leg of their Conference League second qualifying round tie level on aggregate.

In last week’s first leg in Lithuania, the teams played out a goalless draw ahead of the reverse fixture at Windsor Park.

Match preview

Having never tasted main-stage European football, David Healy and his Linfield players are aware of the size of the task in front of them as they bid to make history.

Losing to Irish side Shelbourne in the Champions League first qualifying round came as a major blow, and it set up a meeting with Zalgiris.

Ahead of the first leg, Healy would have been satisfied with a stalemate and that is how the match concluded, albeit with both teams having their chances to edge ahead in the tie.

Linfield have now reached a point where they have only won two of their last 11 European qualifying games, emphasising the size of the task in hand on Thursday.

Furthermore, this is a team that have failed to win any of their last five games, including pre-season friendlies, and that is something that will only give confidence to the visitors.

Zalgiris came into this tie on the back of the disappointment of exiting the Champions League via a 11-10 penalty-shootout defeat to Hamrun when they had held a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that Zalgiris have kept clean sheets in four of their last five games, making a mockery of their current sixth-placed standing in the Lithuanian top flight.

That said, each of those shutouts came in home fixtures, head coach Vladimir Cheburin aware that something extra needs to be found on their travels.

Just two wins have been recorded from their last 12 away games in European competition, those wins coming against Armenian and Finnish opposition.

Linfield Conference League form:

FK Zalgiris Conference League form:

Team News

Linfield are expected to be forced into at least one alteration courtesy of Euan East being withdrawn during the closing minutes of the first half last week.

Scot Whiteside was introduced in his place on that occasion and could start here, and Healy must assess whether to make any further alterations.

Although Matthew Fitzpatrick contributed 16 goals and 11 assists during 2024-25, the forward is yet to make an impact in four games this season.

Zalgiris are also likely to line up with a similar XI for this encounter and Cheburin could plausibly select the same team.

However, centre-back Vasilije Radenovic is available again after serving a one-match ban for his sending off in the second leg of the Champions League first qualifying round.

Linfield possible starting lineup:

Johns; Orr, Whiteside, Roscoe, McGee; Shields, Mulgrew, Archer; Millar, Fitzpatrick, Offord

FK Zalgiris possible starting lineup:

Olses; Youla, Kendysh, Dumancic, Tavares; Moutachy, Ofori, Salcinovic, Verbickas; Antal, Chol

We say: Linfield 2-1 FK Zalgiris (Linfield to win 2-1 on aggregate)

There will be plenty of nerves on show as these two minnows attempt to edge closer to League Phase football. Zalgiris may relish the chance to upset the home crowd, yet we are backing Linfield to rise to the occasion and secure victory by the odd goal in three.

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

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