Pyunik Yerevan vs Zalgiris Prediction & Tips
In their first group stage in European competition, Pyunik Yerevan made history by beating Slovan Bratislava 2-0 in their final UEFA Europa Conference League match. Two goals in two minutes in the first half were enough to seal the game and the team are second in Group H after two games and could well be looking ahead to a possible qualification for the knockout phase.
Armenia’s 15-time champions returned from the international break with a bang, thrashing Alashkert, who were leading the local league standings before the previous matchday, 5-1. That result came at home, and the Republican Stadium has been helping Pyunik of late, with five wins in five games, scoring 14 goals in those matches. With that record, there is no doubt that the team’s confidence is sky high.
Zalgiris are looking to spoil Pyunik’s party, as the Lithuanian side need good results in their clashes with the Armenians, having failed to win in the first two rounds (E1, P1). Vladimir Cheburin’s side have not scored a goal and need to improve their goalkeeping if they are to stay in with a chance of progressing.
Winning away from home as they do in their domestic competition would be crucial for the Lithuanian champions, who have lost just one A Lyga game in their last 37 (G27, E9) on rival soil, a run that began in September 2021. Zalgiris have never lost to Armenian teams (G3, E1), including two matches against Pyunik in the 2013 UEFA Europa League qualifiers (G1, E1).
Players to watch: Yusuf Otubanjo will be looking to do damage for Pyunik, having scored in his last three games. On the visitors’ side it is worth noting that Renan Oliveira is Zalgiris’ biggest threat — he has scored nine goals in his last 13 games so far.
Weekend stat: Pyunik’s Hovhannes Harutyunyan has lost just one game in his career when on target (G11, E2).
Pyunik Yerevan – Zalgiris FREE TIPS
BTS/YES @ 2.25
