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Ararat-Armenia welcome Zimbru to the Yerevan Football Academy for the second leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round on Thursday (August 1). The hosts will look to finish the job after a superb showing in the first leg.
Ararat outpowered Zimbru 3-0 in the first leg on the road. Former Lierse winger Eric Ocansey from Ghana hit a hat-trick, while Artur Serobyan also scored. The result paves the way for a possible qualification to the third round. The Armenian side are yet to progress beyond the second round.
The Yerevan-based team, despite their aggregate lead and home advantage, will likely not take their foot off the gas. They are unbeaten in three matches and in their last five at home across competitions. Ararat are also preparing for their season-opener against Van in the Armenian Premier League.
Meanwhile, Zimbru’s debacle at home highlights their struggle for form and likely lack of preparation for the continental competition. They have lost their last three matches across competitions, conceding 10 goals. Head coach Lilian Popescu has attributed the situation to fatigue, as the team only returned to action since May.
Galben-verzii lacked energy in the first leg and were also tactically poor. The Moldovan outfit will likely face an uphill battle in the return leg, with three goals to pull back. In the previous edition of the Conference League, they suffered a loss in the second round, losing 9-0 on aggregate to Fenerbahce.
Ararat-Armenia vs Zimbru Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Ararat have won four times in their last five home matches.
- The hosts have lost once in 10 matches across competitions, winning seven.
- Ararat have played 19 UEFA games, winning eight and losing six, while Zimbru have played 73, winning 21 and losing 33.
- Zimbru have lost four times in their last five away matches across competitions.
- Ararat have won thrice and lost once in their last five matches, while Zimbru have won once and lost four times in the same period.
- Form Guide: Ararat – W-W-D-L-W; Zimbru – L-L-L-W-L
Ararat-Armenia vs Zimbru Prediction
Ararat are expected to hand the same treatment to the visitors as in the first leg, when the Armenian side left no breathing space for Zimbru.
Zimbru will kick off their domestic season three days after this clash, so they will look for an encouraging result heading into the top flight. Ararat, though, come in as the favourites based on their superior form, home advantage and momentum.
Prediction: Ararat 3-1 Zimbru
Ararat-Armenia vs Zimbru Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Ararat
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals – Yes
Tip 3: Ararat-Armenia to score first – Yes
Tip 4: Zimbru to score - Yes
