On Wednesday, July 9th, at the LFF Stadium in Vilnius, Lithuanian side Zalgiris host Hamrun Spartans of Malta in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round. After winning the A Lyga in 2024, Zalgiris are struggling this season and currently sit in sixth place after 19 rounds, nine points adrift of European spots. Head coach Vladimir Cherubin and his players will set domestic concerns aside for now, focusing entirely on this crucial two-legged tie that could define their season. In recent years, the Lithuanian champions have frequently participated in UCL qualifiers, getting close to the group stage in the 2022/23 campaign, when they reached the third qualifying round. With the revamped Champions League format now allowing 36 teams into the group stage, the city of Vilnius can once again dream of returning to Europe’s biggest stage, more than thirty years after their last appearance in 1992/93. Their first step: securing a significant advantage in the home leg against Hamrun. The Maltese champions, who clinched their domestic title back in May, are participating in the Champions League qualifiers for the third consecutive year. Italian manager Giacomo Modica hopes this time his team can at least progress past the first round. Although underdogs due to both physical condition and lack of international experience, Hamrun will aim to frustrate the hosts and keep the tie alive ahead of next week's return leg in Malta.

Zalgiris Recent Form and Key Stats

Zalgiris currently sit sixth in the Lithuanian A Lyga, but are coming off two straight wins: a 4-2 away victory over FK Panevezys, followed by a narrow 1-0 home win against Banga, thanks to a stoppage-time goal by Dumancic. In their last five matches, Zalgiris have registered 2 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, scoring an average of 1.4 goals per match while conceding 1.

At home in Vilnius, Cherubin’s side has been inconsistent. Before the 1-0 win over Banga on July 4th, Zalgiris had gone four consecutive home games without a win (3 draws, 1 loss), with all matches seeing fewer than three goals.

Hamrun Spartans Recent Form and Key Stats

On May 10th, Hamrun Spartans were crowned Maltese Premier League champions for the 11th time in their history after a 1-0 win over Birkirkara in the playoff final. Since then, they've played just one match—a 2-1 defeat to Hibernians in the FA Trophy semi-finals.

Away from home, Hamrun have been impressive. They are unbeaten in their last six away matches, with three wins and three draws, and managed to keep a clean sheet in five of those outings. More broadly, they’ve lost just one of their last 17 away fixtures (12 wins, 5 draws).

Zalgiris vs Hamrun Spartans Prediction and Tactical Overview

The Zalgiris vs Hamrun Spartans prediction from BetMines strongly favors the home side to win the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round.

Zalgiris are in full competitive rhythm, which gives them a physical edge over Hamrun, who haven’t played a competitive match in nearly two months. According to the BetMines prediction algorithm, a home win (1) has a 48% chance, with a draw (X) at 25% and an away win (2) at 27%.

Zalgiris also bring more experience in European qualifiers, having participated in several in recent years and even nearing qualification to the group stage. Despite being the favorites, BetMines predicts a tight and open game, with both teams having a decent chance of finding the net. The "both teams to score" market has a 55% probability of landing.

This outlook is based on Zalgiris keeping just two clean sheets in their last nine matches, while Hamrun have scored at least once in four of their last six away games.

• Zalgiris vs Hamrun Spartans Prediction by BetMines: Zalgiris to Win (1) – 48%
  
  
• Zalgiris vs Hamrun Spartans Prediction by BetMines: Both Teams to Score – 55%

Probable Lineups Zalgiris vs Hamrun Spartans

ZALGIRIS (4-1-4-1): Olses; Moutachy, Radenovic, Dumancic, Tavares; Ofori; Matulevicius, Lukasevic, Kendysh, Setkus; Antal. Coach: Vladimir Cherubin

HAMRUN SPARTANS (3-4-3): Bonello; Bjelicic, Emerson, Elionay; Prsa, Cadjenovic, Talison, Camenzuli; Mbong, Raphael Lopes, Mihana. Coach: Giacomo Modica