The team from Kazakhstan are often solid at home and should get the better of the visitors, who have been unconvincing lately.
Key Stats
- Astana have won their last three matches in all competitions.
- Astana have won their last five home matches in all competitions.
- Nine of Astana's last 10 home matches in all competitions have produced over 1.5 goals.
- Dinamo Tirana have failed to win four of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Nine of Dinamo Tirana’s last 10 matches in all competitions have produced over 1.5 goals.
One Previous Meeting
Last week's first leg was the only previous meeting between both teams, with Astana claiming a 1-0 victory.
Smooth Sailing for Astana
Astana have an advantage to protect after claiming a 1-0 victory in the first leg. They had several chances, but in the end, a second-half effort from Ramazan Karimov was enough to earn them the win.
That result is part of a solid run for Astana, who have now won their last three matches in all competitions. Grigory Babayan’s team are back at Astana Stadium, where they have won their last five matches, including a 3-2 victory over Aktobe in a domestic fixture last weekend.
One of the impressive aspects of Astana’s recent form is their attacking quality, which has been impressive lately. Nine of their last 10 home matches in all competitions have produced over 1.5 goals.
Dinamo Tirana Looking Erratic
Dinamo are looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit and will be disappointed to have come away from the first leg empty-handed. They held their own for much of the contest and had several chances, but were wasteful in attack.
Things have been a bit erratic for Dinamo Tirana lately, having failed to win four of their last six matches in all competitions. It is a similar situation on their travels as they are without a win in five of their last eight away matches, suffering four defeats in this run.
Dinamo Tirana often adopt an attacking style of play, which often leaves them exposed at the back. This style has seen nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions produce over 1.5 goals.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Astana (4-4-2): Josip Condric; Karlo Bartolec, Kipras Kazukolovas, Branimir Kalaica, Yan Vorogovskiy; Marin Tomasov, Ivan Basic, Abzal Beysebekov, Mascat Abrayev, Bauyrzhan Islamkhan, Ramazan Karimov.
Abrayev and goalscorer Karimov should return to the team after coming off the bench in the win over Aktobe last weekend. Basic scored in that victory and could earn a start on Thursday.
Dinamo Tirana (5-3-2): Aldo Teqja; Lorenco Vila, Usni Ismaili, Bruno Dita, Naser Aliji, Fabjan Perndreca; Hekuran Berisha, Isi Manellari; Malomo Ayodeji, Eridon Qardaku.
Dinamo Tirana have no injuries or suspensions heading into this clash and are unlikely to make too many changes to the team that started the first leg. Qardaku should feature in attack once again while Ismaili and Dita are expected to continue in defence.