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Astana face Milsami Orhei at the Pavlodar Central Stadium in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan, on Thursday (August 1) in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round.
The tie is poised at 1-1 following Danny Lupano's 90th-minute equaliser for Milsami in the first leg last week. Nazmi Gripshi had put the Kazakh side in front after 57 minutes and were inches away from a vital win, but a late goal from Astana meant the sides go into the second leg on level terms.
Having reached the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League last season, Grigori Babayan's side are looking to repeat the feat again this season. Meanwhile, their rivals from Moldova are aiming to make their European debut.
Founded 19 years ago, they have had quite a few attempts at qualifying for a major European competition over the years but have come up short. The closest the Red Eagles came to reaching the main event was when they made the playoffs in the 2015-16 UEFA Europa League, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne.
Astana vs Milsami Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two sides are meeting for the second time.
- Milsami have faced just one other Kazakh side before, losing 5-4 on aggregate to Aktobe in the second qualifying round of the 2012-13 UEFA Europa League.
- Astana are winless in three home games in European qualifiers, losing twice.
- Milsami are unbeaten in four away games in European qualifiers,winning once: a 4-2 win over Belarus' Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino in the last round of the ongoing campaign.
- Astana have won one of their last eight competitive games while Milsami are unbeaten in three.
Astana vs Milsami Prediction
Astana are on a low ebb and don't boast a good home record in the qualifiers. The Red Eagles will look to cause them more problems, but the hosts could manage a draw. It could come right down to the wire, to the shootouts, where Astana could prevail on penalties.
Prediction: Astana 1-1 (5-3 on penalties) Milsami
Astana vs Milsami Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Draw (Astana to win the tie on penalties)
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes
