The Netherlands are unbeaten in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers so far, with two wins and a draw from three matches ahead of the game vs Lithuania. The Oranje have been outstanding with their performance levels, and they will certainly hope to grind out a positive result.
On paper, the visitors are the better team, and they will be expected to pick up a comprehensive victory. On the other hand, Lithuania are coming into this game on the back of three consecutive draws in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. The home side are yet to pick up a win in four matches, and it remains to be seen whether they can bounce back strongly.
The fans will certainly expect a strong showing from the players, and it will be interesting to see if they can pull off an upset. Lithuania are the underdogs here, and they need to perform at a high level to get anything out of this contest. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Edgaras Utkus is suspended after the red card against Latvia, and he will miss out. Lithuania will start in their usual 4-5-1 formation vs the Netherlands, with Edvinas Gertmonas in goal.
Klaudijus Upstas and Artemijus Tutyskinas will start in the full-back areas, and they will look to keep things tight at the back and hit the Netherlands on the break. Edvinas Girdvainis will start alongside Markas Beneta at the heart of the defence.
Modestas Vorobjovas and Artur Dolznikov will start on the flanks, and they will look to protect the fullbacks and help out in the final third. In the middle of the park, Gratas Sirgedas will start alongside Justas Lasickas and Gvidas Gineitis. Finally, Gytis Paulauskas will lead the line for Lithuania vs the Netherlands.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Gertmonas; Upstas, Girdvainis, Beneta, Tutyskinas; Vorobjovas, Sirgedas, Lasickas, Gineitis, Dolznikov; Paulauskas
Ronald Koeman does not have any major injury issues apart from Jeremie Frimpong coming into this game, and the Netherlands are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Lithuania, with Bart Verbruggen in goal.
Denzel Dumfries and Micky van de Ven are likely to start as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Virgil van Dijk will form the central defensive partnership alongside Jan Paul van Hecke.
As for the midfield unit, Ryan Gravenberch will add defensive cover and control to the side. Frenkie de Jong will add creativity alongside him, and Tijjani Reijnders will look to control the tempo of the game.
Memphis Depay will lead the line for the Netherlands vs Lithuania, with Xavi Simons and Cody Gakpo on either side of him. They will look to add creativity and goals for the star attacker.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Dumfries, van Dijk, van Hecke, van de Ven; Gravenberch, de Jong, Reijnders; Simons, Depay, Gakpo
Simons is our key player to watch out for. He will look to create opportunities for his teammates and score goals as well. Lithuania have been quite vulnerable defensively, and he will be able to exploit the gaps at the back. The home team will struggle to contain a player like him with technical ability and flair. The Dutchman could make a defining impact in the final third and carve open the home defence.
The Netherlands are undoubtedly the better team, and they should be able to grind out a positive result. The Oranje have enough quality and depth in the squad, and they should be able to find a way past the home team easily. On the other hand, Lithuania have been vulnerable at the back, and they will struggle against an elite attacking unit here.
The visitors should be able to pick up a comprehensive victory. The away side have enough attacking quality to dismantle the Lithuanian defence, and they have world-class defenders at their disposal who should be able to shut out the home attack. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Ronald Koeman and his charges.
