SUTJESKA v ASTANA
Wednesday 18th July 2018 – Kickoff: 1900hrs
Football – Europe – Champions League Betting Tips
Montenegro club, Sutjeska, return to more familiar surroundings on Wednesday night when they play host to Kazakhstan outfit, Astana, as the home side make a bid to overhaul the one goal deficit that separates these two teams ahead of this first round qualifying second leg.
Sutjeska qualified for this season’s Champions League by virtue of winning the Montenegro First League title by a massive 22-point margin ahead of runners-up, Buducnost, but since capturing the domestic title, Sutjeska haven’t played any pre-season friendlies at all, and they may have paid the price for that.
Last week’s 1-0 defeat away at Astana has now put them on the back foot, despite having home advantage in this second leg at their Stadion Kraj Bistrice, but Champions League experience has been limited, and not at all positive.
Sutjeska have lost four of their five Champions League ties to date, and have lost on both occasions when playing at home (to Sheriff in 2013 and 2014 seasons).
Onto Astana, and the Kazakhstan outfit did what was expected of them in the first leg at their Astana Arena, although they may well have wanted a goal or two more ahead of making the trip to Sutjeska this Wednesday evening.
Nevertheless, Astana are in a rich vein of form at the minute, having won seven of their last eight in all competitions, and they currently hold a six point lead at the top of the domestic Premier League with a useful away record of 7-1-2 18/7.
On the European front, Astana are best remembered for their 4-3 home win over Celtic last season (although they lost 8-4 on aggregate!), but have been poor travellers on the road in past seasons at this level as they’ve won just once in their 11 away ties to date.
It’s time for Astana to grab their second away win in the Champions League…
Pick: Astana to win @ 1.53 bwin
