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Aktobe host Sarajevo at the Ortalyq Stadıon in Kazakhstan on Thursday for the first leg of their clash in the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round.
After finishing third in the Kazakhstan Premier League last season, Aktobe managed to reach the qualifiers of the Conference League for the second year running.
In 2023, the Red Whites beat Georgia's Torpedo Kutaisi in the second qualifying round but lost to Romania's Sepsi OSK in the third, as their European dream was put on hold.
That marked their first appearance in European qualifiers since 2016, after the Kazakh side lost in 12 consecutive years until then. Nonetheless, their qualifier misery continued, but they will be hoping for better fortunes this time around.
Standing in their way are Bosnia's Sarajevo, who are playing in the Conference League qualifiers for the third time. In both their previous appearances at this stage, the Maroon-Whites failed to progress beyond the first round.
In the 2021-22 season, the Balkan outfit lost out 1-0 on aggregate to Moldova's Milsami Orhei. Two years later, Georgia's Torpedo Kutaisi won 4-2 on penalties after the sides drew 3-3 on aggregate.
Zoran Zekić's side came fourth in the Bosnian Premier League last season which paved their way to this stage, and they will be looking to end their 17-year wait to play in a major European competition.
Aktobe vs Sarajevo Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first official clash between the sides.
- Aktobe have never faced a Bosnian side before.
- The Red Whites have won just one of their last 12 qualifying games in Europe: 4-1 vs Torpedo Kutaisi in the 2023-24 Conference League first qualifying round.
- The Maroon-Whites are looking to end a 17-year wait to return to a major European competition; their last appearance came in the 2007-08 UEFA Cup.
- The Bosnian side haven't won any of their previous four qualifying games in the Conference League, losing once and drawing thrice.
Aktobe vs Sarajevo Prediction
Neither side have a particularly good record in these European qualifiers but begin afresh in their quest to reach a major tournament. Aktobe don't have a good record at home in these games, but they aren't playing against a formidable opposition either. The Maroon-Whites could fight back to a draw at least.
Prediction: Aktobe 1-1 Sarajevo
Aktobe vs Sarajevo Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Draw
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes
