Lithuania U21 — Ukraine U21 : Match Preview and Prediction for September 05,2025

Lithuania U21’s Qualification Woes

The Lithuanian U21 squad is embarking on a new qualification campaign, and a candid look at their past performance reveals a challenging road ahead. In the previous qualification cycle, the team finished dead last in their group, managing only a single victory against seven defeats. This pattern strongly suggests inherent systemic issues when facing well-structured and organized opponents.

Recent Form and Statistical Disparity

Recent outings have only reinforced this bleak assessment. The team suffered a 0-2 friendly loss to Latvia, following earlier official defeats to the Czech Republic (0-3 and 1-2). The statistics from these encounters paint a clear picture of overwhelming opposition dominance: in an away fixture, the Czechs unleashed 24 shots on goal compared to Lithuania’s paltry 6, while maintaining 66% possession against 34%.

Defensive Vulnerabilities Persist

Even on home turf against the same Czech side, Lithuania conceded 16 shots, responding with just six of their own. The team’s defensive unit consistently allows a high volume of goals, as evidenced by their matches against Wales (2-3) and Denmark (0-3). This highlights persistent and significant vulnerabilities within their backline.

Ukraine U21: A Class Apart

Ukraine, in stark contrast, is a team of an entirely different pedigree, a fact underscored by both their recent achievements and the quality of their squad. In June, the Ukrainians competed in the final stage of the UEFA U21 European Championship, engaging in tough battles against formidable teams like the Netherlands and Denmark. Their clash with the Danes ended in a narrow 2-3 defeat, a result that still speaks volumes about their potent attacking capabilities, even when facing top-tier European opposition.

Squad Value and Quality Difference

The disparity in player quality between the two sides is immense. A quick glance at market values illustrates this clearly: Ukraine boasts talents like Volodymyr Brazhko, valued at €11.6 million, Taras Mykhavko at €4.8 million, and Arsenii Batahov at €4.3 million. Conversely, the most highly valued player in the Lithuanian squad is estimated to be worth a mere €600,000.

Tactical Approach and Bookmaker Confidence

Under the guidance of Spanish tactician Unai Melgosa, the Ukrainians prioritize ball control and an aggressive, attacking style of play. Even in their loss to the Netherlands, they managed 13 shots, with 5 on target. Bookmakers clearly share this sentiment regarding the outcome, offering odds of 1.26 for an away victory, a valuation that appears entirely reasonable given the circumstances.