Sutjeska – FC Astana Prediction & Picks (18.07.2018)

Sutjeska and Astana meet in Stadion Kraj Bistrice, in a return match of this phase of the UEFA Champions League (1st Qualifying Round), after in the first leg Astana won at home by (1-0). In this game the home factor may be decisive, since the Sutjeska presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.

Sutjeska:

After the defeat in the first leg, the home team arrives at this disadvantaged match at a disadvantage, since they need to recover 1 goal from a disadvantage and have not scored any goals in the previous match. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 13 matches they register 2 draws and 5 losses in away matches, with 3 goals scored and 12 conceded; against 1 win, 2 draws and 3 losses at their stadium, with 4 goals scored and 11 conceded.

The Sutjeska comes to this game with a defeat against Astana, 1-0, starting in the worst form this phase of the Champions League. Of note that the landlords were the big winners of the Montenegrin Championship. In this match, coach Nikola Rakojevic must act in the usual 4-3-3, with Kordic being the most offensive reference of the home team. It is important to note that the Montenegrins exhibit great difficulties in the defensive transition and in the defensive set pieces. Everything indicates that the coach can count on all his players.

Astana:

The away team comes to this second leg with an advantage of 1 goal, but suffered 0 goals at home in the first leg. This is a team that usually shows similar results, at home and abroad. It is usually not affected by the home team, since in the last 30 matches they register 9 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses in away matches; against 11 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses at their stadium. In their last match, for the Premier League, they beat Shakhter Karagandy at home (2-0). In the last 10 away matches Astana has won 6, tied 1 and lost 3. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches. In 15 games, they suffered the first goal 4 times, but got the comeback in 2.

Astana secured an important advantage in the first leg of the first phase of the Champions League, beating Sutjeska 1-0: the only goal of the team was scored by Murtazaev. After that triumph, the visitors conquered another victory, this time on the Kragandy, to count for the Championship of Kazakhstan. Normally coach Roman Grygorchuk plays in 4-3-3, benefiting possession of the ball and organized attacks, however, in this game he must act more on counterattack. Everything indicates that the coach can count on all the players at his disposal.