Prediction: Aktobe vs Legia Warsaw Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure on Thursday evening, Legia Warsaw will travel to the Central Stadium when they meet Aktobe.
Aktobe
Starting with the hosts, while Aktobe might have put in what was a gritty first-leg performance on foreign soil last week, the Reds have a real mountain to climb on Thursday evening. Eventually falling to a 1-0 defeat away at the Polish Army Stadium, caretaker boss Vyacheslav Levchuk is searching for some recent stability. Despite securing consecutive domestic victories on either side of opening July, the Kazakh outfit have won just a pair of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Dropping out of bronze medal position in the Premier League standings, Aktobe are once again pencilled in as a real underdog contender when they return to the Central Stadium in midweek. Struggling to find any real clinical edge over in Poland last week, the Reds are searching for what would be a famous qualifying turnaround here.
Aktobe Team News
Limping off after picking up a first-half knock last week, Aktobe are expected to be without Nigerian midfielder Uche Agbo on Thursday evening. Making a cameo appearance off the bench at the Central Stadium, Kazakhstan international Erkebulan Seydakhmet could get some more minutes under his belt.
Completing a free transfer from Romanian giants FCSB ahead of the 2025 campaign, Andrei Daniel Vlad will start at the heart of Aktobe's defence here.
Legia Warsaw
As for the visitors, while Legia Warsaw might have only clinched a slender first-leg advantage on home soil last week, Edward Iordanescu's side are sat in the driving seat to extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure. Crowned Super Cup champions last weekend as they claimed a 2-1 victory against Lech, the Militarians certainly secured some perfect momentum. Despite being left frustrated last season as they eventually limped their way to a fifth-place finish among Poland's elite, Thursday's guests haven't shown any signs of a hangover. Securing consecutive victories for just a second occasion since the start of April, the former Romania boss will be desperate for his squad to build on their recent flurry when they travel to the Central Stadium in midweek.
Legia Warsaw Team News
Both still dealing with respective recent injury issues, Legia Warsaw are once again expected to be without the Portuguese duo of Claude Goncalves and one-time Wolves defender Ruben Vinagre here.
Finding the net in last weekend's Super Cup success against Lech, Belarus international Ilya Shkurin will play a leading role in the final third. One-time Watford misfit Juergen Elitim will start in the middle of the park in midweek.
Aktobe vs Legia Warsaw Key Factors to Consider
- When Aktobe and Legia Warsaw met for their first-leg showdown last week, Thursday's guests collected a 1-0 victory at the Polish Army Stadium.
- Aktobe have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
- Legia Warsaw have recorded consecutive victories across all competitions for just the second time since the start of April.
- Four of Aktobe's last five home fixtures have finished with under 2.5 goals.
- Likewise, each of the three historic meetings between Aktobe and Legia Warsaw have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
While Legia Warsaw might have clinched a first-leg 1-0 victory on home soil last week, the Polish heavyweights should be bracing themselves for what could be another nail-biting qualifying showdown. With chances expected to come at a premium here, Thursday's opponents do have a habit of producing cagey affairs when they meet. With each of their three historic meetings finishing with under 2.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet