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In the first leg of the final round of Europa League qualifying, Jagiellonia Bialystok will welcome Saburtalo to Chorten Arena on Thursday.
The hosts managed to get the better of Rangers in the third round, winning 3-2 on aggregate, whereas Saburtalo emerged as 2-1 victors against Larne in their previous round.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Saburtalo key stats
- Jagiellonia Bialystok have scored at least two goals in five of their last eight qualifying matches.
- Saburtalo have failed to score in five of their past 12 European games.
- Jagiellonia Bialystok have failed to take the lead at half time in nine of their 11 most recent European fixtures.
Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Saburtalo preview: On the verge of the Europa League
Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Saburtalo — Tale of the Tape
| JAG | vs | SAB |
|---|---|---|
| 7th (Ekstraklasa) | Position | 3rd (Erovnuli Liga) |
| 6 | Points | 34 |
| 3 | Goals For | 30 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 22 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 7 |
| 13th | Home / Away Rank | 2nd |
Jagiellonia Bialystok won their first leg against Rangers 2-1, before drawing 1-1 on August 13, though they were heading for an extra 30 minutes until Nik Prelec netted his side a 65th-minute equaliser in that game.
The hosts' stalemate with Rangers may have extended their unbeaten streak to two games, but the club have only played five times this term, and they have won three times.
Jaga are now unbeaten in eight European qualifying matches, a period in which they managed to win on five occasions, while they have also won nine of their last 14 home fixtures in UEFA competitions, losing just twice.
Should striker Prelec be trusted to lead the line again, expect to see the number nine flanked by wide attackers Rodrigo Conceicao and Kajetan Szmyt.
Saburtalo needed extra time to get the better of Larne in the second leg, though Nika Sikharulashvili's 102nd-minute strike eventually won his side the tie.
The visitors come into the clash having won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five games in all competitions, while they have drawn two and lost one of their past three away clashes.
Both teams will be thankful for having the safety net of being able to drop into the Conference League's league phase should they suffer elimination from the Europa League's final qualifying round.
Saburtalo could use a front three on Thursday, with Sikharulashvili, Zviad Natchkebia and Vakho Bedoshvili all candidates to feature as a trio.
Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Saburtalo form guide & betting tips
| JAG | vs | SAB |
|---|---|---|
W
W
W
L
D
|
Form |
W
D
D
W
L
|
| 6 | Goals For | 9 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 7 |
WD |
Europa League qualifying | DW |
Whispers predicts: Jagiellonia Bialystok 2-0 Saburtalo
Jagiellonia Bialystok are overwhelmingly backed by the bookmakers, who have priced a home win in the first leg at 4/11 (1.36).
The hosts have scored at least two goals in five of their last eight qualifying matches, so backing Over 1.5 Goals for Jagiellonia Bialystok at 10/21 (1.48) makes sense.
Saburtalo have failed to score in five of their last 12 European matches, and it may therefore make sense to predict Under 0.5 Goals for Saburtalo at 19/20 (1.95).
While the hosts are favoured, they have failed to take the lead at half time in nine of their 11 most recent European fixtures, and that means there could be value in betting for a Draw at Half Time at 7/5 (2.4).
> Over 1.5 Goals for Jagiellonia Bialystok at 10/21 (1.48) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 0.5 Goals for Saburtalo at 19/20 (1.95) | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw at Half Time at 7/5 (2.4) | Likelihood: Possible