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On Tuesday, the dessert of the upcoming General Financing A League 13th round - the duel between the Marijampolė "Sūduva" and Vilnius "Žalgiris" teams, who lost points in the last round, will take place on Wednesday.
Another intriguing battle awaits in Panevėžys, where the unstoppable "Ekranas" will face the recovering "Šiauliai". Inspired by their victory in Vilnius, Pakruojo "Kruoja" will seek to defeat Alytus "Dainava", while in a duel of Western Lithuanian neighbors, Klaipėda "Atlantas" will host Gargždai "Banga".
"A lyga has just started in Klaipėda, so I haven't had many opportunities to get to know it yet. There is no clear leader yet, but the favorites remain the same. "Dainava" has made progress. There are no clear underdogs," shared Rimantas Skersys, training Palanga, who plays in the I League.
According to him, Palanga does not think about the A League yet: "Last year, we played in the II League. At the beginning of the season, we played decently against the favorites."
R. Skersys mainly follows the league statistics, watches a few matches, and follows summaries and comments on Futbolo.TV.
Panevėžys "Ekranas" - "Šiauliai" Time - May 16, 18:00 Location - Panevėžys "Aukštaitija" stadium Live broadcast on Futbolo.TV R. Skersys' prediction - 2:1
The country's champion of the past four years will face a resurgent "Šiauliai" team. "Ekranas" (33 points) leads this season's A League, while "Šiauliai" (14 pts.) occupies the sixth place.
"A regular derby. 'Šiauliai' has always been a tough opponent for 'Ekranas'. It won't be easy this time either. I think the Panevėžys team will win by one goal. Perhaps 2:1," predicted R. Skersys.
According to him, "Šiauliai" will be given additional motivation by the new coach Gediminas Jarmalavičius, with whom the team crushed Klaipėda "Atlantas" 5:1 and Pakruojo "Kruoja" 4:0. In the last round, Šiauliai played 3:3 against "Sūduva". Until the 89th minute, "Šiauliai" was trailing 1:3. "The last matches will bring good emotions," said R. Skersys.
The football expert believes that Šiauliai has recovered and is surprised by the poor start of the team: "There haven't been many changes. 'Šiauliai' has good players: Igoris Kozlovas, Robertas Vėževičius, Deivydas Lunskis. I wouldn't blame the coach entirely. I think Šiauliai know how to play. Moreover, lately 'Šiauliai' have always been close to the prize places."
R. Skersys did not hesitate to compliment "Ekranas," whose composition also changed slightly: "A stable team. The players know each other well. It's one of the most experienced teams. They play smart football. 'Ekranas' has always been strong in set pieces."
Panevėžys had not conceded goals in nine rounds. They were beaten by 'Reo,' and in the last round, 'Tauras' sent a ball into 'Ekranas' goal. Nevertheless, Panevėžys celebrated a 2:1 victory.
"Scoring one goal in a match doesn't prove anything. Even the players can score it themselves. After all, they're not machines. However, 'Ekranas' defenders are very experienced. If they conceded three or four goals, it would be a problem," said R. Skersys.
In the IV round duel in Šiauliai, "Ekranas" showed their superiority - 1:0. The winning goal was scored in the 29th minute by Fofana Adama from Ivory Coast.
Marijampolė "Sūduva" - Vilnius "Žalgiris" Time - May 16, 20:00 Location - Marijampolė "Arvi" arena Live broadcast on Futbolo.TV R. Skersys' prediction - 2:0
In the central match of the round, the neighbors on the league table will clash. The home team "Sūduva" (23 pts.) - third, will face "Žalgiris" (28 pts.) - second.
"It will be interesting. I watched the teams' match in the first round when 'Žalgiris' won 4:0. The match was strange. I couldn't understand if it was football or its imitation. 'Sūduva' almost didn't resist against Žalgiris. I think this time the Marijampolė team will seek revenge. I predict that the match will end with a 2:0 victory for the hosts," predicted R. Skersys.
In the first match, 'Žalgiris' scored goals through Mantas Kuklys (52, 69 min.), Tomislav Pekas (20 min.), and Calum Elliot (88 min.).
This year, the teams met in the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) Cup semi-finals as well, where 'Žalgiris' celebrated the final victory and reached the final thanks to the away goal against "Sūduva." In the first match in Vilnius, they won 1:0 when Sergėjus Loginovas scored an own goal in the 10th minute. The return match in Marijampolė ended with 'Sūduva' winning 2:1 (10 min. Rafael Ledesma, 87 min. Craig Thomson / 25 min. M. Kuklys).
"When equal teams meet, it's difficult to win. However, it shows that Žalgiris has serious ambitions. It's a team with strong competition. It's challenging for Lithuanians to establish themselves there. However, Žalgiris still lacks stability," said R. Skersys.
The coach of 'Palanga' was impressed by the Marijampolė team, which played several different matches against 'Žalgiris.' In his opinion, at the beginning of the season, 'Sūduva' showed determination, expertise, and class.
Both teams will take to the field with a fighting spirit. On Sunday, 'Žalgiris' lost 0:2 to 'Kruoja' at home, while 'Sūduva' played 3:3 away against 'Šiauliai.' Until the 89th minute, the people of Marijampolė led 3:1.
"A draw like that won't add anything extra. However, I believe the team will want to redeem themselves," said R. Skersys.
After the match against 'Šiauliai,' the normally talkative head coach of 'Sūduva,' Virginijus Liubšys, was tight-lipped: "There's nothing to blame when there's a hole in defense, there's nothing. Then the team finds it very tough."
Due to disqualification, the team captain and defender Algis Jankauskas will not be able to help 'Žalgiris' in this match. According to the coach of the Vilnius team, Damir Petravičius, replacing him will not be very difficult as the team has Andrius Skerla.
Pakruojo "Kruoja" - Alytus "Dainava" Time - May 17, 18:00 Location - Pakruojo stadium Live broadcast on Futbolo.TV R. Skersys' prediction - 1:0
The fiercely competing and fourth-placed 'Kruoja' (22 pts.) will host 'Dainava' (5th place - 15 pts.) at home.
"It won't be easy for either team. I think the favorite 'Kruoja' will win, although it might be tough. I predict 1:0," R. Skersys forecasted.
According to him, 'Kruoja's' results reveal a lot: "In recent years, they were never at the bottom. They may not have firmly held high positions, but they played confidently. It would be very interesting if the people of Pakruojis could challenge the top three. It's time to push them. Fresh blood is needed."
In the previous round, the Pakruojo team exceeded 'Žalgiris' 2:0 away, but before that, at home, they did not resist 'Šiauliai,' losing 0:4. "It shows instability, but in our football, there are often very unexpected results," R. Skersys did not underestimate 'Kruoja.'
According to the coach, the good results of 'Dainava' are influenced by the strict hand of Alytus team's coach Rimvydas Kochanauskas.
"The team has strengthened. I know the coaches well and their requirements. Kochanauskas is a demanding, professional tactician. He knows how to manage and train the team. There are high expectations for the players. I don't think 'Dainava' will be an easy opponent for any team," praised R. Skersys.
In the mutual match in Marijampolė in the first round, 'Kruoja' played a draw with their rivals - 0:0. 'Dainava' paid more attention to the security of their own goal. After the match, Alytus team's forward Arsenijus Buinickis admitted that no one likes defending, but everyone aims to win - even those who choose a counter-attacking tactic.
Dainava will likely use such tactics now. Playing like that away is simpler," said R. Skersys.
According to the head coach of 'Kruoja,' Aidas Dambrauskas, the 'Dainava' team is not favorable to the people of Pakruojis.
Klaipėdos "Atlantas" - Gargždų "Banga" Time - May 18, 18:00 Location - Klaipėda central stadium Live broadcast on Futbolo.TV R. Skersys' prediction - 1:0
In the second match at the Klaipėda stadium, the home team (10th place - 6 pts) will host 'Banga' (11th place - 7 pts).
"I would like to see a real fight, emotions, not just a walk. There are enough matches like that. Sometimes in Lithuania, there is more acting than real competition," R. Skersys critically assessed. "I think 'Atlantas' will win 1:0."
According to the head coach of 'Palanga,' the status of a derby will also have an influence: "You can lose to anyone, just not to your neighbor. Especially since the teams are neighbors in the league table. There will be no need for additional motivation."
R. Skersys also criticized the 'Atlantas' team. In his opinion, the 'Atlantas' team is the weakest according to the league table, but not according to their composition: "They have players to play. The footballers have potential. They need to be asked why they go onto the field and what they do there. Moreover, the coaching staff is normal this year. Compared to last year, the Klaipėda team has made progress."
The football specialist did not hesitate to compliment the 'Banga' team: "Gargždai can be an example of a town that loves football. They are stable and constantly moving forward. This year the club's budget has decreased, so the goals are slightly different, but it's impressive that the people of Gargždai invest in infrastructure and pay attention to the youth."
Before the season, 'Banga' played friendly matches with 'Palanga,' led by R. Skersys. The Gargždai team left a professional impression on the head coach of Palanga, who prepared for the season professionally.
In the last round, 'Atlantas' lost 0:1 to 'Dainava,' while 'Banga' lost with the same result to 'Reo.' In R. Skersys' opinion, 'Reo' won the match more than 'Banga' lost it: "Gargždai played at the wrong time against 'Reo.' Exactly when 'Banga' changed the coach, and their emotional state rose."
In the first round in Gargždai, 'Atlantas' won 1:0. The only goal was scored in the 59th minute by Evaldas Razulis. His precise strike was chosen as the most beautiful goal of the month of March.
