Tuesday night's meeting between the Republic of Ireland and Lithuania will be the fifth time the two countries h ave collided, and though the Boys in Green are unbeaten in the previous four contests, it's never been straightforward.
Ireland have had three wins - none by more than two goals - and one turgid, 1998 World Cup qualifier draw against the Lithuanians, who are currently ranked 137th in the world.
Lithuania endured a pretty miserable 2022 World Cup qualification campaign.
Their sole win in Group C came against Bulgaria, who they beat 3-1. They lost all seven of their other matches, with Northern Ireland easing to a 4-1 away win last September and then earning a 1-0 victory at Windsor Park in November.
On Friday night they laboured, really laboured, to a 2-1 win over San Marino - a side ranked 210th out of 210 countries in the FIFA rankings. But they do have form when it comes to making life awkward for Ireland.
We take a look back on past meetings between the countries.
16 June 1993 - Lithuania 0-1 Republic of Ireland, World Cup qualifier
It was a win that took Ireland to the top of their group as they chased a spot at USA 94, but this was a real slog in Vilnius. The hosts spurned chances before Steve Staunton's low free-kick was turned home by an unfortunate Lithuanian defender in the 38th minute. That ultimately proved enough to settle it.
One year and five days later Ireland would be squaring up to Italy in the Giants Stadium but that glamour showdown was earned on afternoons like this, as the dogged hosts scrapped throughout on a baked, bobbly pitch.
Republic of Ireland: Packie Bonner; Denis Irwin, Alan Kernaghan, Terry Phelan, Steve Staunton; Paul McGrath; Ray Houghton, Roy Keane, Andy Townsend (captain); John Aldridge (Ronnie Whelan 76), Niall Quinn
8 September 1993 - Republic of Ireland 2-0 Lithuania, World Cup qualifier
"That was probably the worst performance we've had for a long time," Jack Charlton said after this one. "We never showed any imagination around the 18-yard box. We want to forget that one."
Ireland went one-nil up with barely four minutes on the clock when John Aldridge volleyed home Staunton's lashed cross from the left.
And when Alan Kernaghan glanced home a Denis Irwin delivery in the 26th minute, it looked like Lansdowne Road was going to be treated to a goal fest.
Not the case.
With Lithuania refusing to revert from a defensive gameplan, Ireland toiled. The visitors also began to look dangerous on the break as green jerseys poured forward in misguided frustration.
"We lost it in many areas of the park," the manager seethed. "We didn't close them, we didn't work hard enough. I'm just delighted the result is 2-0 because it could have been worse."
Republic of Ireland: Packie Bonner; Denis Irwin, Alan Kernaghan, Kevin Moran, Terry Phelan, Steve Staunton; Ray Houghton, Roy Keane, Andy Townsend (Ronnie Whelan 69); John Aldridge, Niall Quinn (Tony Cascarino 74)
20 August 1997, Republic of Ireland 0-0 Lithuania, World Cup qualifier
At half-time Brian Kerr came on to the field with his Under-20 team, who had just finished third at the World Cup in Malaysia. That was a nice moment for the country's young heroes, but overall this was a night to forget.
Mick McCarthy's men hit a serious wobble in their quest to make it to France 98 as they delivered a disjointed, lacklustre performance.
The home side huffed and puffed but Shay Given, then just 21 years old, was a busier man than opposing goalkeeper Gintaras Stauce.
This was an Irish team in transition, but better was expected than the fare served up here and McCarthy got a lot of stick post-game. Ireland subsequently needed to win away to Iceland and Lithuania to snatch a play-off place behind Romania in Group 8.
They did so, but Belgium would shatter the dream with a 3-2 aggregate victory that sent them to France.
Republic of Ireland: Shay Given; Kenny Cunningham, Ian Harte, Jeff Kenna, Steve Staunton; Ray Houghton, Roy Keane, Mark Kennedy (Alan McLoughlin 73), Andy Townsend (captain, David Kelly 83); David Connolly, Niall Quinn (Tony Cascarino 59)
10 September 1997, Lithuania 1-2 Republic of Ireland, World Cup qualifier
As mentioned, Ireland had to win this away tie and they did - but it wasn't easy. The sides were level on 14 points in the group heading into this clash with the chance to get to within a point of sealing second in the group, and with it a play-off spot.
Tony Cascarino prodded home the opener in the 17th minute after Roy Keane had nodded a Steve Staunton free-kick across goal. Things got hairy though six minutes into the second half when Tomas Ziukas volleyed home the equaliser through a crowd of Irishmen.
With 18 minutes to go Cascarino rose to guide home a good header and get a very relieved Ireland out of Vilnius with the points.
Republic of Ireland: Shay Given; Kenny Cunningham, Ian Harte, Denis Irwin, Gary Kelly, Steve Staunton (captain); Roy Keane, Jason McAteer (Phil Babb 83), Alan McLoughlin, Tony Cascarino; David Connolly (Gary Breen 90)
