Lithuanian A League is back

I didn't had much luck in European Cups. Bets were carefully analized and I still think they were good bets. The bets I would take again. Just luck was not on my side. Oh well, I will leave Eurocups alone for a while and concentrate on Lithuanian football league. League which is not very popular, not very exciting, but the one I'm watching every round and know the best.

Lithuanian A League is back after 20 days break and 18th round starts on Friday in Klaipeda.

22/07/2011 FC Klaipeda - FBK Kaunas

FC Klaipeda (10th), 2-2-13, 8 points

Home team have quite big financial problems. They didn't brought any new players, they even released few. They played one friendly game against team from lower Latvian division, which finished 1-1.

As you can see from last 5 games results Klaipeda have some problems with attack, but they defence is quite good, especially having in mind that they played against Zalgiris, Ekranas and Suduva - Top3 teams in Lithuania.

Last 5 games:

Klaipeda 0-1 Dainava

Klaipeda 0-1 Zalgiris

Klaipeda 0-1 Ekranas

Suduva 2-1 Klaipeda

Klaipeda 1-0 Tauras

FBK Kaunas (12th), 1-5-11, 2 points (started with -6)

FBK Kaunas is famous Lithuanian team, which was relegated to 3rd division (because of owners and Lithuanian football federation war) but is back in top division in two years time, losing just one game from ~50. Sad thing, that just few days before start of new season owners did their tricks again and released all the experienced players and left only youngsters who played for reserves. All in all, Kaunas started season with -6 points, because of old financial debts and were really struggling in first part of the season.

Finally they managed to climb from negative points. And the mood in team is getting better and better. In break time they managed to bring back three experienced ex Kaunas players in all positions - goalkeeper Stonys, defender Cinikas and striker Razulis, all of them will definetely strenghten the team. Just yesterday rumours were spread that team will have new manager Pankratjevas, who last season took Zalgiris to 3rd position in league, but it's not official yet.

So basically Kaunas looks like better team on paper, but changes were made just few days ago, and I am not very confident about picking them as a winner in this match. 

Were are no news about any friendly games they played in summer break, but here are last 5 games in championship:

Kaunas 0-0 Mazeikiai

Kaunas 0-1 Ekranas

Kaunas 4-0 Atlantas

Dainava 1-0 Kaunas

Suduva 3-0 Kaunas

They scored 4 goals against Atlantas, which at the moment is laughing stock in the league, but overall goals come very hard for Kaunas. Defence are getting better - only 2 goals conceided in last 4 games, and new goalkeeper should make further improvement.

My main bet for this match is unders, as I do not expect teams today to be any better than they were before summer break. I always find Lithuanian teams being in lower part of the table to struggle then they have to create chances, not just to defend. 

Also I will take small bet on the draw.

6 units - under 2.5@1.95 bwin

2 units - draw@3.25 bwin

P.S. Not so many bookmakers are offering odds for Lithuanian football and usually they open markets just few days before the game. Unfortunately asian handicap before game is not available, but bet365 are offering live betting with streaming and AH.

Good luck!