Preview: BATE Borisov vs. Partizani Tirana - prediction, team news, lineups

The first-round qualifying tie remains finely poised after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the Albanian capital last week.

Match preview

BATE are making their first appearance in Champions League qualifying since 2019-20 when they managed to progress to the second round.

On that occasion, the Belarusian side claimed a 3-1 aggregate win over Piast Gliwice in the first round before being beaten by Norwegian side Rosenborg.

Kirill Alshevsky's charges, who sit in fourth place in their domestic league, will head into Tuesday's encounter having put together a four-game unbeaten run.

Despite being the designated hosts for the second leg, the contest will take place at a neutral venue in Hungary, due to UEFA sanctions regarding Belarus' support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

BATE can take confidence from the fact that they have won their last three first-round ties in Champions League qualifying since being eliminated by Bohemians in 2003.

Partizani, meanwhile, were crowned champions of Albania last term, sealing their place in Champions League qualifying.

While their opponents are in the middle of their campaign, the first leg represented the opening game of their 2023-24 season.

BATE's Dmitry Antilevsky opened the scoring in the 58th minute, before Tedi Cara equalised less than 10 minutes later to ensure the contest finished all square.

Partizani are hoping to avoid a repeat of their most recent Champions League qualifying tie against Qarabag in 2019 when they drew the home leg before going on to lose 2-0 in Azerbaijan.

After extending their unbeaten run with a draw in the first leg, Partizani will be looking to make it nine competitive games without defeat when they face BATE on Tuesday.

BATE Borisov Champions League form:

D

BATE Borisov form (all competitions):

Partizani Tirana Champions League form:

D

Team News

Ruslan Khadarkevich made his BATE debut last weekend, and he could retain his place in the side with the hosts set to name an unchanged lineup.

Fresh from completing a move from FC Astana, Dmitry Podestrelov also made his debut for the club as a substitute in the first leg, and there is a possibility that he will be utilised off the bench again on Tuesday.

After marking his first appearance in Champions League qualifying with a goal, Antilevsky represents one of Bate's main goal threats.

As for the visitors, new signing Adnard Mehmeti is expected to retain his place in the side after making his first appearance for the club in the first leg.

In fact, Partizani head coach Zoran Zekic could opt for consistency and name an unchanged lineup for Tuesday's encounter.

Cara is set to feature in the forward line and the 23-year-old will be looking to find the net for a third consecutive game.

BATE Borisov possible starting lineup:

Kudravets; Nechaev, Khadarkevich, Bane, Jimoh; Gromyko, Bocherov, Grechikho; Malkevich, Kontsevoy, Antilevski

Partizani Tirana possible starting lineup:

Qirko; Hadroj, Sota, Sembene, Atanaskovski; Rrapaj, Mehmeti, Murataj; Victor, Cara, Mba

We say: BATE Borisov 2-1 Partizani Tirana

After the first leg produced a closely-fought contest, we expect more of the same in Tuesday's fixture, but after progressing from their last three first-round ties in Champions League qualifying, we think that BATE will edge out Partizani to squeeze through to the next stage.

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