Dainava vs Suduva Marijampole

</h2> <h3>Mismatch of the Round as Crisis-Hit Dainava Face In-Form Suduva</h3> When bottom-placed Dainava Alytus welcome third-placed Suduva Marijampole to the <strong>Alytaus centrinis stadionas</strong> this afternoon, the fixture represents one of the starkest quality gaps in recent A Lyga memory. The statistics paint a brutal picture for the hosts - just 10 points from 22 matches and a goal difference of -29 that tells the story of a season gone badly wrong. <h4>Historical Dominance Sets the Tone</h4> Suduva's psychological advantage cannot be overstated. Their comprehensive 3-0 victories in both previous meetings this season have established a pattern of dominance that will weigh heavily on Dainava minds. <strong>Nauris Petkevičius</strong>, Suduva's leading scorer with 7 goals, has found the net in both encounters and will be the focal point of Dainava's defensive concerns. The head-to-head record extends beyond this season - Suduva has won an astounding 21 of their last 28 meetings, a statistic that highlights the fundamental class difference between these sides. Dainava's home fortress has proven anything but, with just one victory from 11 attempts yielding a measly 0.45 points per game. <h4>Tactical Battle: Defensive Solidity vs Desperate Attack</h4> <strong>Donatas Vencevicius</strong> has built Suduva into a defensively resolute unit, evidenced by their 52% clean sheet rate - among the league's best. Goalkeeper <strong>Ignas Plūkas</strong> has been instrumental with a 7.55 average rating, while the defensive partnership of <strong>Aleksandar Živanović</strong> and <strong>Markas Beneta</strong> provides experience and reliability. Dainava's attacking struggles are epitomized by their failure to find the net in 45% of matches. <strong>Artem Baftalovskyi</strong> leads their modest goal tally with 4 strikes, but the Ukrainian midfielder faces an uphill battle against Suduva's well-drilled defense. The home side's best hope lies in early pressure, as they've historically scored their goals in the first half (59% of total). <h4>Key Player Battles</h4> The midfield duel between Suduva's <strong>Steve Lawson</strong> (7.38 rating) and Dainava's <strong>Marko Pavlovski</strong> will likely determine the game's tempo. Lawson's experience and 86% pass accuracy provide the platform for Suduva's patient build-up play, while Pavlovski must shoulder creative responsibility for a Dainava side starved of inspiration. <strong>Henry Uzochukwu's</strong> versatility and attacking threat from defense (2 goals, 2 assists) adds another dimension to Suduva's arsenal, particularly dangerous given Dainava's vulnerability to set-pieces and defensive transitions. <h4>Form Lines Point to Predictable Outcome</h4> While Dainava has shown marginal improvement in recent weeks - their last 8 matches represent a 95.6% improvement in points per game - this merely elevates them from "catastrophic" to "poor." Their current 4-match losing streak, including recent defeats to Šiauliai (3-1) and Kauno Žalgiris (3-0), suggests the upturn was temporary. Suduva arrives with 2 consecutive away wins and an impressive away record of 5 wins from 10 matches. Their slight dip in recent form (-9.9% points per game in last 8) remains at a level (1.63 PPG) that should comfortably handle today's opposition. <h4>Weather and Conditions</h4> Mild conditions in Alytus (21°C, overcast) will have minimal impact on proceedings. The artificial surface at Alytaus centrinis stadionas should suit Suduva's possession-based approach, though Dainava will hope the intimate 500-capacity venue provides some psychological boost. <h4>The Verdict</h4> Every metric - from individual form to head-to-head records, from goal statistics to league position - points toward a routine Suduva victory. The question isn't whether the visitors will win, but by what margin and whether Dainava can avoid another comprehensive defeat that further damages their already fragile confidence. Expect <strong>Petkevičius</strong> to add to his tally against familiar opposition, while Suduva's defensive discipline should provide the foundation for a professional performance that maintains their push for European qualification.