International Friendly Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- Lithuania

Republic of Ireland

After a very encouraging 2-2 draw at home to Belgium, Ireland welcome Lithuania to the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night for the second of two international friendlies in the March International window (K0 7.45).

Having gone toe to toe with the world’s number one ranked side, albeit a slightly weakened outfit, Stephen Kenny’s charges are faced with a different challenge as Lithuania ranked 137th in the world come to town.

The Boys in Green twice came from behind and salvaged a deserved draw against Belgium courtesy of goals from cult hero Chiedoze Ogbene and Preston North End midfielder Alan Browne.

After ten games without a win, Ireland have slowly but surely turned their fortunes around on the pitch and have only lost just once in their last 11 outings.

Performances have been encouraging particularly against the big sides with Ireland picking up draws against Serbia, Portugal and Belgium and can count themselves unlucky to have lost against the former two previously.

Caoimhín Kelleher is expected to line out in between the sticks as he looks to impress in the absence of Gavin Bazunu and Mark Travers.

John Egan earned high praise from Stephen Kenny following the 2-2 vs Belgium on Saturday and he was delighted with how Ireland played vs their opponents and feels that the squad is only getting better.

“It was a very pleasing performance,” Egan said.

“They're obviously a top side, we went toe to toe with them and on another day we could have got the win. It was a very good performance and one we have to build on now.”



“I felt I played well. The manager gives me a lot of confidence to go out and play well. I enjoyed the game. Throughout the team there were some huge performances. As a team we played really well. It definitely didn't feel like a friendly.”

“I feel like we're in a very good place. The improvement is there to see for everybody from a year ago to now. We’re on a good run now. Every player that's coming in is doing really well. It's a really good squad to be a part of.”

 

Lithuania

The minnows come to Dublin ranked 88 places below their hosts after amassing just three points as they finished bottom of their World Cup qualifying group.

Their only win came in a 3-1 win over Bulgaria.



They head to the Aviva off the back of a 2-1 friendly win over San Marino on Friday but have a wretched record in Ireland. They are without a goal in their two previous away games against the Boys in Green and have never beaten Ireland, losing three and drawing one.

Lithuania drew on their last visit here a turgid 0-0 stalemate in August 1997

Raferee: Bram Van Driessche (BEL)

MATCH STATS

Republic of Ireland boast a formidable home record losing just two of their last 16 games at the Aviva which has included five wins and nine draws.

Ireland are looking to score two or more goals in three consecutive games for the first time since October 2014 under Martin O’Neill (2-0 v Oman, 1-2 v Georgia, 7-0 v Gibraltar).

Lithuania are looking to win back-to-back games for the first time since October 2020 but have only scored once against Ireland.

Ireland have scored 12 goals in five matches after registering just 11 in their first 16 games under Stephen Kenny.

Prediction

Republic of Ireland 3-0 Lithuania

Republic of Ireland

Suspended: None

Injured: Andrew Omobamidele, Enda Stevens, Adam Idah, Darragh Lenihan, Mark Travers, Gavin Bazunu (illness).

Doubtful: None

 

Lithuania

Suspended: N/A

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

 

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