- Zira form: Zira have 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 defeat from their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- Torpedo form: FC Torpedo Kutaisi have gone 5 matches without a win, drawing 1 and losing 4.
- Recent meeting: FK Zira arrive off the back of a 3-0 victory over FC Torpedo Kutaisi in the UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 4 days ago.
Zira have the edge after 3-0 win
Home side struggles
FC Torpedo Kutaisi will be looking to avenge their 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 tie against FK Zira on Thursday, but the Georgians have gone 5 games without a victory and their odds of success look a little low at the Ramaz Shengelia Stadium.
Dirk Schuster's side have had a run of 1 draw and 4 defeats in all competitions since they held FC Spaeri to a 0-0 draw in the Erovnuli Liga 2026 at home. That sequence includes the heavy defeat in Azerbaijan four days ago in which Zira outclassed Torpedo in a convincing manner.
Away side form
The visitors have 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 defeat from their last 5 games and look a more solid unit at the moment with 4 wins, 5 draws, and only 1 defeat from their last 10 in all competitions. Rashad Sadyqov has been at the helm since 17 July 2020 and Zira appear to have a settled identity.
Zira can outscore opponents
Zira usually line-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with a double pivot protecting the defense and structure to their build-up play, although they are capable of hurting teams on the counter too. They have won 2-1 against FK Sumgayit and 3-0 against Torpedo in their last two outings, which shows their recent form is solid and they can score goals when needed.
- They have not been prolific in front of goal of late, scoring just 4 times in their last 5 fixtures, and will need to be at their best to threaten Zira again here.
- Komnen Andric has been their bright spark recently, hitting 2 of those 4 goals, while Ruan is Zira's main threat having scored 5 times in their last 5 and already has 2 goals in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026.
Draw or Zira the value play
Zira's away form in the UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 is a little stubborn with 1 win, 3 draws and 1 defeat from 5, which is why I think the value in this game is with Zira or Draw rather than the home side. Zira are 2.3 favourites to win in this match, which looks a bit short given that Torpedo are 2.9 to triumph and the draw 3.3.
I reckon Zira are the more likely to progress in the tie, but Torpedo's home form in Europe does suggest they could hold their own for the majority of the game. The difference between the two teams appears to be structure against steel. Zira want to control the game and dominate the second balls while Torpedo will look to pinch the ball back and punish Zira on the break or from set-pieces. It should be cagey if the hosts can survive the opening burst of pressure from their guests.
