„Panevėžys“ – „Kauno Žalgiris“. September 13, 14:30. Panevėžys, „Aukštaitijos“ stadium. Previous matches: 0:4, 1:1, 0:3.
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Panevėžys currently stands out with the best streak among all teams.
Earlier, „Panevėžys“ played an intense few-day stretch during which they achieved three consecutive wins. The best streak of the season helped avoid relegation playoffs, almost secure 7th place, and have real hopes of catching up with some of the opponents higher up in the league table. The advantage of the team from the capital of Aukštaitija is the remaining four home games. In front of their fans, „Panevėžys“ suffered three defeats, all by a one-goal margin. Valdas Paulauskas, who suffered an injury, will no longer help the team this season.
Since Željko Sopić took over „Kauno Žalgiris“, the defending champions have not lost in TOPLYGA and have achieved two wins scoring 5 goals each during a busy schedule. However, even after crushing the league leader, they will have to travel a lot – six matches will be away. In the last five away games, they managed only one win, but now Ž. Sopić can rely on a very deep squad. The team has many equally skilled players, which is reflected in the statistics as different players score each time.
FA „Šiauliai“ – Kauno district „Hegelmann“. September 13, 17:00. Šiauliai, Šiauliai municipality stadium. Previous matches: 1:1, 1:1, 0:2.
For Šiauliai, this is probably the last chance to still fight for 8th place.
The team from the City of the Sun is coached by the third strategist this season, but they have not been able to avoid consecutive losses. A small positive since Dovydas Lastauskas became head coach is that defensive results have improved – fewer goals conceded. A draw on Sunday will not satisfy FA „Šiauliai“ as it would leave an 8-point deficit with four matches remaining. The head-to-head series does not bode well: in the last ten TOPLYGA encounters, the blue and whites have managed to beat their opponents only once.
„Hegelmann“ players have been slowly collecting points after withdrawing from international competitions and are the main contenders to finish the season in 8th place. Returning to local battles, the only defeated opponent is FA „Šiauliai“. Tadas Vilkevičius’s squad has been without a win for almost two months and will have to finish the season without their departed leading striker Kadero Njoya Abdel. Darrellas Tibellas once shone in Telšiai, but the Kauno district club lacks a player who can regularly score.
Marijampolė „Sūduva“ – Vilnius „Žalgiris“. September 13, 18:45. Marijampolė, „Mantingos“ football arena stadium. Previous matches: 0:1, 1:1.
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The highly anticipated match can be watched on BTV channel.
The 15-match unbeaten streak of Marijampolė’s team ended in Kaunas. Although the defeat was crushing, „Sūduva“ leads the championship with 48 points and is 8 points ahead of „Žalgiris“, who have played one match less. A win in front of their fans would practically secure such an advantage for the Marijampolė club that the Vilnius team could only overcome with a great miracle. In TOPLYGA, „Sūduva“ has not beaten their principal opponent in 12 consecutive encounters – the last time was on May 20, 2023.
After Danny Lupano’s accurate header in the last match, „Žalgiris“ kept hopes alive to fight for gold, but to achieve it, all four remaining matches against the top three representatives must be won. However, winning will be very difficult: „Sūduva“ has not suffered a single defeat at home this year and conceded only 6 goals in 12 matches. In the capital team, Matas Vareika will miss another match due to suspension, and the latest newcomer – Sidoine Fogning – may be on the bench.
Gargždai „Banga“ – Vilnius district „TransINVEST“. September 14, 18:45. Gargždai, Gargždai city stadium. Previous matches: 0:1, 2:2, 3:1.
Another intriguing clash in the medal race on BTV channel.
„Banga“ had some time to rest and enough time to draw conclusions after a painful defeat against „Panevėžys“. This year, the Gargždai team collects points more successfully away – six more than in front of their fans. David Afonso’s squad has not scored at home in the last three matches, during which they suffered two crushing defeats. At first glance, „Banga“, with 38 points and in 6th place, has a fairly favorable schedule to secure a spot in international competitions, but to do so, they must break the ice at home more often.
For the maximum ambitions of the „TransINVEST“ club, conceding two goals in the match against „Sūduva“ must have been very painful – after the ninth defeat, they occupy 4th place with 39 points. A win in Gargždai is also extremely important for the guests, as it would allow them to have the initiative over Telšiai „Džiugas“ and „Banga“, with the latter, having the same number of points, trailing due to worse head-to-head results. A draw in this case would be more favorable for Gargždai, who won by two goals in the third round.
