'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Torpedo Kutaisi host Tirana at the Ramaz Shengelia Stadium in Kutaisi on Thursday in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League clash in the first qualifying round.
With 35 points from 18 league games, Kutaisi came second in Georgia's Erovnuli Liga in the 2023-24 season, paving their way to this qualifying round. Steve Kean's side will now aim to end their 25-year wait to reach a major club tournament.
In recent times, the club have faced a series of heartbreaks in the qualifiers. In the 2018-19 season, the Georgian outfit came agonizingly close to qualifying for the Europa League but were crushed 5-0 on aggregate by Ludogorets Razgrad in the play-offs.
Last year, Kutaisi went out in the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League after losing 5-3 on aggregate to Kazakhstan's Aktobe.
On the other hand, Tirana will be aiming to crack the Conference League code at the third time of asking. In both their previous attempts, the Albanian side lost out in the second qualifying round.
In the 2022-23 season, the White and Blues lost to Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar 4-2 on aggregate before Turkish giants Besiktas inflicted a heavy 5-1 aggregate defeat on them at the same stage last year.
Torpedo Kutaisi vs Tirana Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This is the first official clash between the sides in history.
- Torpedo Kutaisi are facing an Albanian side for just the second time; their previous two games came against Kukesi in the 2018-19 Europa League qualifiers, losing the first leg 2-0 before a stunning 5-2 comeback victory at home.
- The White and Blues have won just one of their last five away games in the qualifiers: a 2-1 win over Georgia's Dinamo Batumi in the first qualifying round of the Conference League last year.
- Torpedo Kutaisi have failed to win their last four home games in the European qualifiers, conceding nine goals and netting thrice.
- Kutaisi last played in a European competition in the 1999-00 UEFA Cup whereas their Albanian rivals were last seen in the 1994-95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
Torpedo Kutaisi vs Tirana Prediction
Neither side have truly impressed in the European qualifiers in recent times. Kutaisi and Tirana both lack genuine quality, but we expect some nervy moments and a stalemate in this first leg.
Prediction: Torpedo Kutaisi 1-1 Tirana
Torpedo Kutaisi vs Tirana Betting Tips
Tip 1- Result: Draw
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes
