„Kauno Žalgiris“ – FA „Šiauliai“. July 18, 7 PM. Kaunas, Darius and Girėnas Stadium. Previous matches: 5:0, 0:0.
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At the request of Žalgiris, the teams will face off in the rescheduled 32nd round match.
Before the trip to the Faroe Islands, „Kauno Žalgiris“ aims to maintain their position at the top of the tournament table – a victory is needed for that. The recent days have gone very well for the Kaunas team: after more than two months’ break, they managed to delight the fans with a home win and also passed the first qualifying round of the Champions League. During this intense period, two newcomers – Ivan Fiolić and Leonas Krekovičius – should get their chances, although midfielder Franco Baldassarra will not appear on the field due to suspension.
The representatives of the Sun City had a break in the TOPLYGA, which they used to play a friendly match against Tauragė’s „Tauras“. In that victorious match, Harun Hadžibeganović, who joined FA „Šiauliai“, appeared and will start in place of the injured Marko Mandić. The newcomer will immediately need to deliver solid defensive play, as this is the area where Šiauliai struggle the most. Mantas Kuklys’ team approaches the duel with the leader after five consecutive losses.
Telšiai „Džiugas“ – Gargždai „Banga“. July 19, 6:45 PM. Telšiai, Telšiai City Central Stadium. Previous matches: 1:0, 0:1.
The intense Samogitian derby can be watched live on the BTV channel.
A series of four consecutive winless matches affected „Džiugas“’s position in the tournament table. Due to worse head-to-head results, the former championship leaders dropped to 4th place, but a win would at least allow them to return to the top three. However, Telšiai are burdened by one of the most distinctive series in TOPLYGA – since 2021 they have not managed to beat „Banga“. Samogitian derbies are usually very low-scoring, with both teams scoring one or no goals together six times in a row.
The Gargždai team boasts one of their best runs in the Lithuanian championship overall – after four consecutive wins, they have come very close to the leaders. A fifth victory would allow them to pull three points ahead of „Džiugas“ and gain an advantage in head-to-head matches. Coached by David Afonso, the team has conceded only 14 goals, showing the best defense and outshining opponents in counterattacks, recently highlighted by Vaidas Magdušauskas’ productivity. „Banga“’s midfield has been strengthened by the addition of Domantas Vaičekauskas, who spent his entire career at „Panevėžys“ until now.
Vilnius „Žalgiris“ – Vilnius District „TransINVEST“. July 19, 7 PM. Vilnius, FK „Žalgiris“ home stadium. Previous matches: 1:2, 0:1.
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Žalgiris will seek revenge for two earlier defeats.
The first Montenegrin barrier in Europe did not seem high for „Žalgiris“. After a confident victory in the series, an away trip to Tbilisi awaits, and before that, a match against the still unbeaten „TransINVEST“ footballers this year. Despite Vilnius being only sixth in the standings, a revenge win would allow them to climb at least two places higher in the tournament table. Coach Andrius Skerla is pleased with the productive involvement of newcomers but will have to consider both the necessary rotation and decisions to compensate for the absence of injured Bryan Teixeira on the field.
After a painful home loss last weekend, the „TransINVEST“ team dropped to 5th place with 29 points. However, this year Marius Stankevičius’ team does not linger in slumps and has only once suffered two consecutive defeats in TOPLYGA this year. They remain the best away team, the only one to have achieved at least five wins at opponents’ stadiums. On Sunday, the guests will not play with their optimal lineup, as their leader Xabi Auzmendi, who collected four yellow cards, is suspended.
Marijampolė „Sūduva“ – Kaunas District „Hegelmann“. July 20, 6:45 PM. Marijampolė, „Mantinga“ Football Arena Stadium. Previous matches: 0:0, 2:2.
The third encounter this year between Marijampolė and Kaunas District teams will be broadcast on BTV.
In the 2026 season, „Sūduva“ establishes itself as one of the most stable teams in the championship, having never suffered two consecutive defeats in TOPLYGA. Their nine-match unbeaten streak is the longest, although only two of those matches were clean sheets. The closest rivals are at opposite poles – „Sūduva“ is the best home team, while „Hegelmann“ players have only beaten „Žalgiris“ away, collecting just 6 points. The hosts will miss forward Omran Haydary due to suspension.
The blue and whites will approach Monday’s match not in the best spirits. Another international campaign ended in a thrashing in Estonia, with only one home draw. To feel the taste of UEFA competitions next year, a not-short winning streak is needed, as they are already 11 points behind the top four. A small positive in the „Hegelmann“ camp is that almost all injured players have returned to the lineup, but Brazilian Wesley will miss the Marijampolė match due to suspension.
