SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Transfer deadline: 3 hrs 50 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
Champions League | First Qualifying Round | 2nd Leg
Jul 18, 2023 at 4pm UK
Gradska Plaza Stadium

Struga
1 - 2
Zalgiris

Ibraimi (75' pen.)
Krivanjeva (54'), Kasami (87')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Kendysh (78'), Radic (83' og.)

Preview: Struga vs. FK Zalgiris - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Struga vs. FK Zalgiris - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Champions League clash between Struga and FK Zalgiris, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Struga will be hoping to make the most of their home-field advantage when they welcome FK Zalgiris to Stadion Biljanini Izvori for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League first round of qualifiers on Tuesday evening.

The hosts are the underdogs going into this crucial encounter, having never qualified for the competition in the past, while the visitors reached the third round of qualification last season but were knocked out by FK Bodo/Glimt.


Match preview

Struga were dominated for large parts in the first leg as their opponents came out the blocks flying and piled on the pressure in the first half, but Vedran Kjosevski pulled off two impeccable saves to keep his side level heading into the break.

They managed to carve out a few chances themselves in the second half, but they were notably second best on the day and could have easily been two or three goals down had their opponents finishing been more clinical.

However, having held on to a clean sheet, it is still anyone's game, and Shpetim Duro's side will be fairly confident as they were incredible at home last season, posting a record of 13 wins and three draws in 16 matches.

In fact, the last time that Struga were beaten in a competitive match at Stadion Biljanini Izvori was in April 2022, when they lost on penalties to Makedonija GjP in a Macedonian Cup match.

Struga romped to their first-ever league title last season, recording 68 points in their 30 matches, which was 10 points better than Shkupi in second place, and they were the only side that were unbeaten at home across the entire season.

Meanwhile, FK Zalgiris recorded their third consecutive A Lyga title win last season, managing an excellent tally of 84 points in 36 matches, which was 21 points more than Kauno Zalgiris's total in second place.

However, it has been a different story so far this term as they find themselves in a heated battle with Panevezys, who currently lead the league standings by three points after 21 matches and have played a game less than the defending champions.

The most notable drop-off in Vladimir Cheburin's side this season has been in the goalscoring department, where they recorded 85 in the league last season but are currently on 40 this term and already well into the second half of the campaign.

Their wasteful finishing was evident in the first leg as they dominated possession at home, created six big chances and fired a total of 12 shots at goal, but only three of them were on target.

Nevertheless, the visitors will still be heavily fancied to get the job done in this one as they come into the match unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions and carrying a four-match win streak in away games.

Struga Champions League form:

FK Zalgiris Champions League form:


FK Zalgiris form (all competitions):



Team News

The 36-year-old Besart Ibraimi was largely ineffective in the first leg as opportunities were at a premium for his side, and Duro may consider handing Valentin Kocoski a start to add a little more pace at the top of the pitch.

Sava Radic and Mexhit Neziri formed a good partnership in front of Kjosevski, and having kept their clean sheet intact, we should see that combination remain unchanged.

Yury Kendysh was the best player on the pitch for Zalgiris in the first leg and should continue in midfield with Yukiyoshi Karashima and Paulius Golubickas.

As it turned out, goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas's withdrawal at half time in the friendly against Tirana was not injury related, and he will resume duty between the sticks for the hosts.


Struga possible starting lineup:
Kjosevski; Maliki, Neziri, Radic, Krivanjeva, Zguro; Radeski, Shabani, Tairi, Bokju; Kocoski

FK Zalgiris possible starting lineup:
Gertmonas; Bopesu, Hnid, Vucur, Pavelic; Gorobsov, Kendysh, Golubickas, Karashima, Kazlauskas; Kehinde


We say: Struga 0-1 FK Zalgiris

While Struga managed to hold on to a draw in the first leg, they were noticeably outplayed for the majority of the match, and they will likely be on the defensive for much of this match as well. At home, the hosts should put on a good showing, but we feel that the visitors will just edge past them by a single goal.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__518688 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-06-05 13:20:28:
html db last update - 2024-06-05 13:20:28 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Tuesday's Champions League predictions including Shamrock vs. Breidablik
Alive again? Tottenham, Chelsea 'resurrect' deadline day Disasi deal
The fab fourth? Man City 'agree payment structure' for £49.8m midfielder
Wednesday's Champions League predictions including Dinamo Batumi vs. Ludogorets
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2494114242031
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
16Everton236892328-526
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Maldini in League Two: Arsenal confirm first deadline day transfer!

1

MI
Maldini in League Two: Arsenal confirm first deadline day transfer!

Chelsea closing in on £15m deal for Saint-Etienne midfielder?

2

CC
Chelsea closing in on £15m deal for Saint-Etienne midfielder?

Preview: Toulouse vs. Guingamp - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PT
Preview: Toulouse vs. Guingamp - prediction, team news, lineups

Will they accept? Fulham 'yet to respond' to Pereira offer

NEW

4

WT
Will they accept? Fulham 'yet to respond' to Pereira offer

Preview: Leganes vs. Real Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PL
Preview: Leganes vs. Real Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

Transfer news and rumours: Asensio to Aston Villa, Palmer to Ipswich

6

TN
Transfer news and rumours: Asensio to Aston Villa, Palmer to Ipswich

Holding firm: Villa 'unlikely to let Bailey leave' amid Man United interest

7

HF
Holding firm: Villa 'unlikely to let Bailey leave' amid Man United interest

Chelsea 'hold talks' for Sporting youngster ahead of deadline day deal

8

C'
Chelsea 'hold talks' for Sporting youngster ahead of deadline day deal

New contract, new club: Liverpool set to announce first deadline day deal?

9

NC

Change of scenery: Chelsea allow prospect to join Championship club on loan

10

CO
1x1


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .