Preview: BATE Borisov vs. Aris Limassol - prediction, team news, lineups

Smashing six past the Belarusian champions leaves Aris with one foot in the third round and on course to continue their debut campaign in Europe's top club competition.

Match preview

Beginning their battle for a place in the 2023-24 Champions League group stage, Cypriot champions Aris Limassol made an almost perfect start last Wednesday, as they stormed into a three-goal lead by the half-time break.

Having won a first national title last season, Aris carried momentum from their recent Cypriot Super Cup success into the game at Alphamega Stadium, in which Yannick Gomis struck twice and Leo Bengtsson found the net before BATE threatened a fightback.

Although the visitors later reduced their deficit to two goals, the Light Brigade charged on to a 6-2 win, which gives them control of the two-legged tie heading to Hungary, where BATE currently stage their European fixtures.

Surely set to face either Rakow Czestochowa or Qarabag in the third qualifying round - the final stage before the decisive Champions League playoffs - Aleksey Shpilevsky's side upset all the odds to beat several bigger clubs, including city rivals Apollon and AEL, to the Cypriot First Division title last term.

Aris had only made their debut in UEFA competition at the start of 2022-23 - exiting in the Europa Conference League's second qualifying round to Neftci Baku - but highly-rated head coach Shpilevsky has designs on taking them further in the continent's top tournament this time around.

Of course, BATE Borisov still stand in their way, but the Belarusian champions' hopes of returning to the group phase for a first time since 2015 have been dimmed by events in Limassol last week.

Barring an incredible comeback at Mezokovesdi Varosi Stadion - the club's European home due to Belarus being involved in the invasion of Ukraine - Kirill Alshevsky's men will instead be demoted to the third round of Europa League qualification.

BATE have appeared in UEFA group stages four times over the past decade, but their first appearance in Champions League qualifying since 2019 could well be nearing its end.

The Zholto-Sinie started their campaign by overcoming Partizani Tirana with a 2-0 second-leg win in Hungary, proving that they have the resolve to bounce back from a first-leg defeat, but the task facing them now is far tougher.

Sitting fourth in the Belarusian Premier League standings after 14 games, BATE saw a five-match unbeaten run ended in dismal style last week, so at the very least will seek a morale-boosting win on Wednesday evening.

BATE Borisov Champions League form:

D

W

L

BATE Borisov form (all competitions):

L

W

W

D

W

L

Aris Limassol Champions League form:

W

Team News

Following their four-goal loss in Limassol, BATE could make a handful of changes to their starting XI this week, though they are still set to select Belarus internationals Dmitry Antilevsky and Vladislav Malkevich up front.

Artem Kontsevoy should also be involved after his goal in the first leg, in which recently acquired centre-back Ruslan Khadarkevich also found the net. However, the latter came off injured last Wednesday and could be forced to miss out; young Alexander Martynov would be his most likely replacement.

While Valery Bocherov captains the nominal 'home' side from midfield, Brazilian goalkeeper Vana will skipper the visitors in Mezokovesd.

Aris coach Aleksey Shpilevsky now has English midfielder Morgan Brown back in the fold following suspension, but he may understandably decide not to tinker too much with a winning side.

Having appeared as a half-time substitute last week, Mariusz Stepinski could be promoted from the bench; joining his fellow Cypriot Super Cup goalscorer Mihlali Mayambela and first-leg star Yannick Gomis - who also netted nine times for the Light Brigade last season - in the final third.

BATE Borisov possible starting lineup:

Kudravets; Nechaev, Martynov, Bane, Jimoh; Gromyko, Bocherov, Islamovic; Malkevich, Antilevski, Kontsevoy

Aris Limassol possible starting lineup:

Vana; Yago, Brorsson, Moussounda; Mayambela, Nikolic, Szoke, Urosevic; Bengtsson; Stepinski, Gomis

We say: BATE Borisov 1-1 Aris Limassol (Aris Limassol win 7-3 on aggregate)

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