FC Astana vs D. Zagreb prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-11-29 15:30.
The fifth round of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) group stage kicks off in Kazakhstan, with Astana hoping to move one step closer to securing a berth in the knockout round play-offs, where the eight group runners-up take on the eight third-placed clubs from the UEFA Europa League group stage (UEL). With the Kazakhstan Premier League concluding in October, this will be Astanaâs second and final fixture of November, although several members kept match fit in the national team squad for Kazakhstanâs recent Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Astanaâs second-place domestic league finish grants them a place in next seasonâs UECL second qualifying round, so with no subsequent group stage appearance guaranteed, they need to make the most of this opportunity. A setback was suffered at home on the previous matchday when, despite starting as warm favourites, they failed to secure their second win over FC Ballkani (D 0-0). They held onto second place by way of a superior head-to-head record against the Kosovans, but coming into this penultimate matchday with just one point separating the three sides vying for second place, a win here is crucial given they travel to group-topping PlzeĆ for their last game.
They will meet Dinamo Zagreb for the fourth time this season after the teams played a two-legger in their ultimately unsuccessful attempts to qualify for this seasonâs UEFA Champions League (UCL). If thereâs one overseas club the Croatians seem to love playing against, itâs Astana! Dinamo have racked up 11 goals to one in three straight wins this season, adding to a 3-0 aggregate win during 2018/19 UCL qualifying for a perfect five from five.
Speaking of five, thatâs how many goals Dinamo put past Astana in the reverse H2H of this group stage (W 5-1), in the middle of a five-game winning streak across three different tournaments. Things havenât been as rosy since, illustrated by five defeats from their last 13 games (W6, D2), but the H2H history is overwhelmingly compelling.
Players to watch: Astana forward Abat Aymbetov scored in second-half stoppage time in Kazakhstanâs win over San Marino during the recent international window. Antonio Marin could also make a late impact after scoring beyond the 85th minute in two separate games against Astana this season.
Hot streak: Dinamoâs last ten competitive games against top-flight clubs produced no more than one first-half goal each.