Malta play host to Lithuania at the National Stadium in Ta' Qali on Saturday evening looking to kick-start their World Cup qualifying campaign.
The home side head into the match having lost their opening two matches in Group E without scoring a goal, leaving them sitting at the foot of the table.
While Malta have suffered defeats to Finland and Poland, their next opponents Lithuania have collected one point from the same double-header.
Most notably, Edgaras Jankauskas witnessed his side come back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Finland on March 24, defying a 74-place difference in the FIFA World Rankings.
How the bookies see it: A 50-50 match
Despite Lithuania's most recent result, Malta are being given plenty of respect by the bookmakers, largely a consequence of their win over Moldova back in October. BoyleSports regard the home side as a 7/4 shot to win this contest, with Lithuania being priced at 9/5. The draw – which would not suit either team in their bid to finish above the Netherlands, Poland and Finland in Group G – is 7/4, emphasising that this is a true 50-50 encounter.
Head to head: First game since 2017
Saturday's match will represent the sixth time that these two nations have squared off and the first time since 2017. The first-ever fixture came in the little-known Rothmans Tournament back in 2002, a 1-1 draw being played out on that occasion.
Friendlies took place in 2006 and 2015, both in Malta. Lithuania came through by a 4-1 scoreline before Malta got their revenge with a 2-1 victory nine years later.
During qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, Lithuania scored two late goals to win 2-0 in Vilnius, with Malta salvaging a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in October 2017.
Players to watch: Kucys replacement needed
Gvidas Gineitis and Armandas Kucys are largely regarded as Lithuania's two star players and they were the duo who popped up with goals in the comeback draw with Finland.
Versatile midfielder Gineitis has just made 30 appearances for Torino in Serie A, contributing three goals and one assists, while Kucys has been showcasing the kind of potential which suggests that he could become one of Lithuania's greatest-ever players.
The 6ft 4ins striker scored eight goals during NK Celje's historic run to the Conference League quarter-finals, and has chipped in with 18 goals from just 33 appearances in total.
However, he suffered a serious knee injury in that game with Finland and will now spend an extended period on the sidelines.
As for Malta, James Carragher – the son of Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher – has recently been added to the squad and will only improve the backline, but midfielder Teddy Teuma is arguably their star man having plied his trade with Union SG and Reims over the past four seasons.
Predicted lineups: Who will be Kucys replacement?
Malta will be forced into making at least one change in attack after Ilyas Chouaref was sent off in the closing stages of the defeat to Poland.
As a result, Kyrian Nwoko or Basil Tuma could be introduced to the forward line to partner Paul Mbong.
Gytis Paulauskas is in line to replace the injured Kucys, while an array of familiar names are returning to the squad.
Dziugas Bartkus, Vykintas Slivka, Tomas Svedkauskas, Gratas Sirgedas and Deividas Sesplaukis all bring something different to the squad.
Malta: Bonello – Pepe, Carragher, Muscat – Mbong, Guillaumier, Satariano, Teuma, Camenzuli – Chouaref, Mbong
Lithuania: Gertmonas – Sirvys, Kazukolovas, Girdvainis, Milasius – Matulevicius, Utkus – Dolznikov, Gineitis, Lasickas – Paulauskas
Anything else catch the eye?
Across their last 10 matches, there have not been more than four goals in a game involving Lithuania. At the same time, there have not been more than three goals in Malta's last eight fixtures.
Malta's home advantage could lead to a low-scoring game playing out, but there is value in going with 7/4 for over 2.5 goals.
GambleAware