Champions League qualifying: Astana v Cluj betting preview, free tip & kick-off

2pm Tuesday

Astana are well-versed in European competition and look worthy favourites at home to Cluj in the first round of Champions League qualification.

The club from Kazakhstan progressed to the knockout phase of last season's Europa League, winning three of their group assignments to finish second behind Villarreal in their section.

They went on to lose to Portuguese side Sporting in the round of 32 but they are in good shape as they start their pursuit of a place in the continent's elite competition.

The Kazakhstan Premier League is ongoing and Astana are top of the pile with 12 wins from their 19 league matches.

While they continue to flex their muscle in competitive fixtures, Cluj's preparation has been comprised of club friendlies after their Liga I campaign concluded early last month.

They may be undercooked and another factor weighing against them is their lack of European pedigree.

They were ranked 288th in Uefa's club coefficient rankings for 2018-19 while Astana are significantly higher in 57th, above Leipzig, Milan and Leicester.

Aiming to make home advantage count, Astana will be looking to rack up the goals and establish a solid lead before the return in Romania.

Astana have netted in seven of their last eight games in a division rated four places higher than Romania's top flight, as per Uefa's country coefficient rankings, and they can make their superiority show.

Recommendation
Astana
1pt Evens Coral

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

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