- Zalgiris Kaunas have failed to win four of their last five away matches in all competitions (W1, D3, L1).
- Drita are a direct and vertical team that can be dangerous in transition, a potential problem for possession-dominant Kaunas.
- Drita have conceded just four goals in their last seven competitive home fixtures.
Kaunas can’t buy a win
Drita's style is direct and their best weapon is quick counter-transitions, with wide support, which is why a potential result looks more likely in their favour than the visitors.
Drita arrive in sharp nick for this game and Zekirija Ramadani's side have won seven of their last ten in all competitions, losing just two.
This is a team that can play with speed and have some good players who can turn defence into attack. Striker Blerim Krasniqi leads the line in this system and has one goal in one UEFA Champions League Qualification appearance this season, and he has the knack of finding the net early in European competition.
Drita’s compact system will be tough to crack
However, the Kosovo side are just as comfortable in their compact mid-block and are capable of keeping the tempo tight against a Kaunas side that like to build up in a more controlled manner.
Željko Sopić has brought a more possession-based system to Zalgiris since he took charge in December, but they are still very much a pragmatic team that prefer to slow the tempo and pull teams out of shape in the center of the park.
Kaunas have been a frustrating watch in all competitions of late, drawing six of their last ten games and winning just once (W1, D6, L3). Back-to-back 1-1 draws with FK Dziugas Telsiai and Drita have them on the back foot here, although the fact that they can be stubborn on the road is a plus.
Home edge should tip the scales
Kaunas have gone unbeaten in four of their last five competitive away games (W1, D3), although they have both scored and conceded just 1.00 goal per game on average. That should be enough to keep the tie level, but not much more than that.
The odds make Drita a narrow favourite at 2.01, which looks about right with Kaunas at 3.52 and the draw at 3.29. However, under 2.5 goals looks a better play at 1.52, and both teams to score at a shade of odds against 1.67 also appeals given the teams and their approaches.
