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Sarajevo host Aktobe at the Stadium Asim Ferhatović - Hase in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday for the second leg of their clash in the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round. The Maroon-Whites currently have a 1-0 advantage in the tie, courtesy of their narrow victory in Kazakhstan last week.
Francis Kyeremeh struck the winner for the Bosnian outfit in the 90th minute, giving them a slight upper hand in the contest.
It means that a draw at home in the decisive leg would be enough for them to advance into the second qualifying round. For the record, that was also their first victory in the Europa Conference League qualifiers in five attempts, having failed to win any of their previous four qualifying games in the competition.
On the other hand, Aktobe face an uphill battle to keep their progression hopes alive. They have to pull off something that they have done only once in the last 13 qualifying games - win!
That solitary qualifying victory came against Georgia's Torpedo Kutaisi, whom they crushed 4-1 on the road in the second qualifying round of the Conference League last year.
Aktobe vs Sarajevo Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the second official clash between Aktobe and Sarajevo.
- 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.
- Sarajevo's 1-0 win over Aktobe was their first qualifying win in the Europa Conference League in five games, having drawn thrice and lost once in the previous four qualifiers.
- The Bosnian side have lost and drawn in their previous two Europa Conference League games: a 1-0 loss to Moldova's Milsami Orhei in 2021, and a 1-1 draw to Torpedo Kutaisi in 2023.
Sarajevo vs Aktobe Prediction
Aktobe have a big task on their hands here, but the odds are stacked against them given their record in these qualifiers. The Red Whites are unbeaten in their last two away games in these qualifiers, but their rivals from Bosnia are a different kettle of fish and may prevail once more by an identical scoreline.
Prediction: Sarajevo 1-0 Aktobe
Sarajevo vs Aktobe Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Sarajevo to win
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: No
