Astana host Partizani Tirana at the Astana Arena Stadium on Thursday (August 24) in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League playoffs.
Looking for their first appearance in Europe since the 2019-20 season, Astana have seen their Champions League and Europa League chances squished.
The Kazakh side lost 6-0 on aggregate to Dinamo Zagreb in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. They then went down 6-3 on aggregate to Ludogorets Razgrad in the Europa League third qualifying round.
The Yellow and Blues are looking to avoid a triple whammy of European exits by reaching the Conference League finals, which will also mark their debut in the competition.
Meanwhile, Partizani also had their Champions League ambitions ruined after losing 3-1 on aggregate to BATE Borisov. In the Conference League qualifiers, though, the Albanian side have won all four games.
The Red Bulls beat Moldovan side Atletic Club d'Escaldes 5-1 on aggregate before overocming Valmiera 3-1 in the next round to reach the playoffs.
Astana are going through a rough patch and haven't pulled up any trees in the ongoing qualifiers. Partizani, in comparison, have been much better. Their recent form has been promising, and they boast a stoic defence, too.
The Albanian side are the favourites to prevail and should record a narrow win pn the road ahead of the concluding leg at home next week.
Prediction: Astana 0-1 Partizani
Tip 1 - Result: Partizani
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: No
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