Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker:
Two sides who will be desperate to extend on their Champions League qualifying adventure, Dinamo Tbilisi will welcome Astana to the Boris Paichadze Arena on Wednesday evening.
Dinamo Tbilisi
Starting with the hosts, putting in what was a hugely impressive performance out in Kazakhstan last week as they eventually snatched a first-leg 1-1 draw, Dinamo Tbilisi will be confident of spring a major qualifying upset here. Crowned Georgia’s Super Cup champions back on July 4th as they clinched a nail-biting penalties victory against Dinamo Batumi, Giorgi Tchiabrishvili s men should be excited to make a return to home soil on Wednesday evening. Claiming yet another domestic crown last season and signing off their 2022/23 romp with a routine 3-0 victory at home against Samtredia, the Blues have lost just one of their previous six appearances at the Boris Paichadze Arena across all competitions a that stems back to April 25th. Although Tchiabrishvili s squad might have shown some extended issues at the back, Tbilisi will be confident of extending on their qualifying adventure in midweek.
Team News
In what will once again be a major blow on Wednesday evening, Tbilisi will be without the attacking duo of Tornike Kirkitadze and Zoran Marusic.
Bagging a first-leg strike last week on foreign soil and now notching back-to-back goals for the first time since the start of March, 18-year-old starlet Gabriel Sigua will have a key role to play here.
FC Astana
As for the visitors, missing out on what they would have billed as a real chance on home soil last week as they eventually had to settle for a first-leg 1-1 stalemate, Astana will now have to go about things the hard way on Wednesday evening. Crashing out of the Kazakhstan Cup earlier in the month following a lacklustre 2-0 defeat at the hands of Ordabsy, Grigori Babayan s side are seeking a recent boost. Nevertheless, despite still facing a real battle in their bid to defend their domestic crown this season, the Yellows have suffered just a single loss from any of their last 17 straight appearances across all competitions a run that stems all the way back to April 16th. Hoping to make a qualifying statement here, Astana will also be desperate to improve on a downbeat European record on foreign soil. It should be noted, the midweek guests have lost each of their last three Champions League away fixtures by an aggregate score of 10-4.
Team News
Limping off on first-leg duties last week, Astana will travel to Georgia without Mikhail Gabyshev on Wednesday evening. Armenia international Kamo Hovhannisyan will likely replace Gabyshev at the back.
Finding the net last week and now notching four strikes in his previous five appearances across all competitions, attacking talisman Abat Aymbetov will once again spearhead Astana’s charge here.
Key Factors to Consider
