- Af Elbasani have won their last 2 games, putting together a 2-match winning streak by beating Dinamo Tirana 3-0 and KS Vllaznia Shkoder 2-1.
- BATE Borisov have lost 3 games in a row after defeats to Torpedo Belaz Zhodino and FC Gomel.
Af Elbasani have been rolling along
Af Elbasani have been in decent form since the summer and come into this match as 17/20 favourites, while BATE are 271/100 on the away side of this UEFA Conference League qualification 2026 match. Af Elbasani have won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches in all competitions, which is a decent enough record to suggest they can spring a surprise in this encounter.
They have scored 10 goals in their last 5 at home, so it seems that their front line are landing enough shots to win games. BATE have been in rotten form recently, which is probably why Vitali Rogozhkin's side are only 271/100 for the victory in this contest.
The visitors have scored 11 in their last 5 on the road, so they will get chances and will be able to get forward against Af Elbasani in the 2nd half.
Opposing styles should see BATE hang in
Af Elbasani like to be direct and strong in the transitions, while BATE prefer to be more structured and build from the back, which sets up a clash of styles for these two sides at the Elbasan Arena on Tuesday. Elbasani have played a 4-3-3 for much of the campaign, but they've also deployed a more compact 4-4-2 system, which allows them to spring forward quickly down the channels.
Maksim Sakuta has been a real bright spot for BATE of late, he has scored 2 of his team's 3 goals in the last 5 games. BATE have been more flexible recently, playing 3 at the back to hold the ball or 4 at the back to keep it more compact, depending on the game.
Rogozhkin's team have been erratic this season, posting a 1-5-4 record across their last 10 in all competitions. That won't inspire confidence for the visit to Albania, but Elbasani's form has been mixed in front of their own fans (W1, L1 in the last 2) so BATE could have enough to hang around.
BATE can make this a cagey affair
Under 2.5 goals is listed at 59/100 for this clash and it could be more of a cagey qualifier than a shootout given that BATE have been shaky away from home in recent weeks.
BATE are 0-1-1 in their last 2 on the road and they don't come into this game full of swagger. However, there is a chance that their superior organisation could see them get a positive result in Albania as Af Elbasani are a limited side when they can't get the ball to their wide players and they will find it tough to cut through a compact away team.
Af should have enough to edge it, but it's unlikely to be a stroll in the park for the hosts.
