The first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round between Astana (Kazakhstan) and Zimbru (Moldova) will take place on July 24 at the Astana Arena. Astana vs. Zimbru: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Astana
The Kazakh team secured their spot in the Europa Conference League by finishing second in the national championship in 2024. This will be Astana's third consecutive appearance in this European competition. Last season, the team finished 28th in the group stage, managing just one win (2 draws, 3 losses). They scored only four goals, with only one other team having a worse record. Notably, Astana currently leads the 2025 Kazakhstan Premier League.
- No more than two goals were scored in 6 of Astana's last 8 matches in the Europa Conference League.
- On home turf in this tournament, the team has not lost in 5 of their last 6 matches (4 wins, 1 draw).
- In 6 of their last 8 home games in the Europa Conference League, the club has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Astana (4-5-1)
Josip Condric – Branimir Kalaica, Aleksa Amanovic, Karlo Bartolec, Kipras Kazukolovas – Yan Vorogovsky, Nazmi Gripshi, Usman Kamara, Nurali Zhaksilykov, Ivan Basic – Chinedu Geoffrey.
Zimbru
Third place in the last Moldovan championship allowed the Chisinau team to qualify for the Europa Conference League. Like their upcoming opponent, Zimbru will participate in this tournament for the third time in a row. However, the second qualifying round has always been a stumbling block for the team, as they have never advanced past this stage. Furthermore, the club has never reached the group stage of any European competition. Currently, Zimbru is in fourth place in the national championship.
In June, the team was taken over by Oleg Kubarev.
- The Moldovans have not won in 5 of their last 6 Europa Conference League matches (1 draw, 4 losses).
- The club has conceded goals in 9 consecutive away games in international competitions.
- At least three goals have been scored in 6 of Zimbru's last 7 away matches in European competitions.
Predicted lineup for Zimbru (4-4-2)
Nikolai Chebotar – Mihail Stefan, Nikolai Zolotov, Andrei Makritsky, Stefan Burghiu – Bruno Paz, Iu Ranera, Diogo Rodrigues, Victor Stina – Guy Dahan, Timofey Sharkovsky.
Referee
Amin Kurgheli (Belarus)
Matches – 5 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 13;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.6;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 0%.
Match Prediction: Astana vs. Zimbru
Astana is rightly favored in the upcoming match. The team regularly competes in European tournaments and performs best at home. In the Europa Conference League, they have not lost in 5 of their last 6 home matches, winning 4. The only defeat during this period was against the eventual tournament winner. However, they managed to score against Chelsea, and in their last 6 home games in the Europa Conference League, they have netted 13 goals.
Zimbru has played 6 matches in the Europa Conference League, achieving just one victory, and that against a modest opponent – La Fiorita from San Marino. Heading into this game, the Moldovans are on a 4-match losing streak in this tournament, conceding at least three goals in all those games. Moreover, the team has not kept a clean sheet in European away games for over 10 years.
Considering these factors, my prediction: Astana to win and Total over 1.5 goals
