World Cup 2010 / Ben Lyttleton / 13 October 2009 / Leave a comment

A remarkable 5-0 win over Romania means Serbia have already booked their place in the draw for the World Cup. But momentum is an important thing in football and Raddy Antic's troops will be keen to finish off the campaign in style with a win over Lithuania, says Ben Lyttleton.

"All of which means that Lithuania will have their work cut out in Marijampole on Wednesday night, especially given the fact that their hardiness against France ­ back-to-back 1-0 defeats in March ­ has been replaced by sloppiness that led to the worst result in their short history, a 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands in September. "

So much for those potentially tricky final two games for Serbia: needing three points from their last two matches to keep France at bay and finish top of Group 7, Raddy Antic's confident side blitzed Romania in Belgrade, running out 5-0 winners. They have qualified for South Africa in some style only dropping points against France but beating every other side in the group (which was France's big downfall).

And for their final match in Lithuania, why should we expect anything else? With the exception of Drasko Lazovic, still serving a suspension, Serbia are at 100 per cent which means that Nemanja Vidic will safe-guard the defence behind Dejan Stankovic, who plays a defensive midfield role for his country to allow Milan Jovanovic, Alex Lukovic and playmaker Nenad Milijas room to create chances for strike-pair Nikola Zigic and Marko Pantelic.

Antic really has found a perfcet blend of defence and attack, proved by the fact that everyone in the starting eleven, apart from goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, has scored in this qualifying campaign. And it's not just from open-play that this side are a threat: with delivery from Stankovic or Milijas, Premier League stars Vidic and Branislav Ivanovic, currently playing right-back under Antic, are a huge threat from set-pieces.

All of which means that Lithuania will have their work cut out in Marijampole on Wednesday night, especially given the fact that their hardiness against France ­ back-to-back 1-0 defeats in March ­ has been replaced by sloppiness that led to the worst result in their short history, a 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands in September. That was followed up by a 2-1 defeat in Austria and to say that Portuguese coach Jose Couceiro is on his way out would be an under-statement: the FA cannot usher him out of the door fast enough after this game.

So with neither side having any injury concerns, nor anything really at stake in this game other than pride, how will it go? Will Serbia take their foot off the gas and coast, and will Lithuania, raging against their troubled away form, finally pick up their first competitive win for over a year? The answer is almost certainly not: Serbia are a team flying on confidence and with goals in them from all over the pitch. Lithuania, on the other hand, are mentally bruised from this campaign and far too reliant on Tomas Danilevicius for goals. Expect Serbia to add to the hosts' misery.

Recommended bets:

Serbia to beat Lithuania @ ([2.32])
Over 3.5 goals @ ([4.3])

Tags: football bets, football odds, Nemanja Vidic, Sebian football, Serbia National football team, world Cup qualifying matches