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Tirana will invite Torpedo Kutaisi to the Elbasan Arena in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round on Thursday. The two sides met in the first leg in Georgia last week, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw. Gledi Mici's own goal in the first half gave Torpedo the lead and Rimal Haxhiu equalized for the Albanian club in the 87th minute.
The hosts played their first competitive match of the season in the first leg and they had suffered a 1-0 loss to Shkendija in a friendly last month. They were eliminated from the second qualifying round of the Conference League last season.
The visitors are unbeaten in their three competitive games this season thus far. They won the Georgian Super Cup final earlier this month, defeating Dinamo Tbilsi in the final. They too were eliminated from the second qualifying round of the Conference League last season.
Tirana vs Torpedo Kutaisi Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams met for the first time last week.
- The hosts have just one win in their last 10 games in European qualifiers. They have failed to score in five games in that period.
- The visitors are unbeaten in their last 16 competitive games in all competitions, recording nine wins.
- The Albanian hosts are winless in their last seven home games in European qualifiers, suffering five losses.
- Torpedo Kutaisi have registered just one win in their last five away games in European qualifiers, suffering three losses. They have failed to score in these losses as well.
- The hosts have suffered just one loss in their six meetings against Georgian teams. On the other hand, the visitors have a win, a loss, and a draw in three meetings against Albanian teams.
Tirana vs Torpedo Kutaisi Prediction
The White and Blues have an unbeaten home record against Georgian teams, with a win and a draw in two games. Interestingly, they are winless in their last seven home games in UEFA qualifiers, which is a cause for concern.
Torpedo are on a 16-game unbeaten streak in all competitions and have won their last four away games. They have lost their only away meeting against an Albanian team in UEFA qualifiers and failed to score in that game as well.
While there is nothing much to separate the two teams, considering home advantage for Tirana and their better record in European competitions, they are expected to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Tirana 2-1 Torpedo Kutaisi
Tirana vs Torpedo Kutaisi Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Tirana to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Bjorn Johnsen to score or assist any time - Yes
