Both making their long-awaited debuts in this competition, Ordabasy and Petrocub Hincesti will meet for the first leg of their first-round clash in Champions League qualifying on Wednesday night.
The Blue and Whites are in the midst of a domestic campaign as they gun for back-to-back Kazakhstan league titles, whilst the Hincesti Lions will commence their 2024-25 schedule in Shymkent.
Match preview
For the first time in their history, Ordabasy reached the summit of the league game in Kazakhstan and won the top-tier title - finishing five points clear of second-placed FC Astana - meaning that the Blue and Whites will now compete in the Champions League for the first time.
Ordabasy have managed to continue their stellar form from 2023 into the current campaign, with the Blue and Whites sitting top of the Premier League pile after 12 games of the 2024 calendar, losing just once and sitting three points ahead of title challengers Aktobe in second.
Aleksandr Sednyov's troops come into Wednesday's night clash enjoying a four-game winning run domestically, with their most recent success arriving against mid-table dwellers Kaisar Kyzylorda on June 29, when goals from Jasur Yakhshiboev and Dembo Darboe secured a 2-1 victory for the hosts in Shymkent.
Joining from AFC Champions League outfit Navbahor in February, Uzbekistan international Yakhshiboev netted his fifth of the league term last time out, and Ordabasy's leading marksman will be hoping to put his continental competition knowhow to good use as Petrocub visit on Wednesday.
As mentioned, the Blue and Whites have never appeared at any stage of the Champions League before, although the champions of Kazakhstan have experience of other European competitions, featuring 15 times in the Europa League and twice in the Conference League, earning just three wins across both tournaments.
After three straight second-place finishes in the Super Liga between 2021 and 2023, Petrocub finally became champions of their domestic league during the 2023-24 campaign, finishing six points ahead of Sheriff Tiraspol, who have been the shining light for Moldovan football in recent times.
The Hincesti Lions will be looking to emulate the achievements of Sheriff and reach the proper phase of UEFA's elite club competition, but there are plenty of obstacles to navigate as Petrocub begin their road to glory at the first qualifying round, with the revamped league phase far on the horizon.
Wednesday's visitors enjoyed a remarkable end to their 2023-24 league schedule, winning seven and drawing three of their final 10 matches, conceding just five goals in the process, meaning that the Moldovans could be a tough nut to crack during their trip to Kazakhstan this midweek.
Stepping into the limelight after various spells as an assistant coach, Andrei Martin is the man tasked with plotting the Hincesti Lions' path towards of the league phase of the Champions League, with the 50-year-old having extensive experience of working with Moldova's national side.
As is the case with Ordabasy, Petrocub will hear the famous Champions League anthem for the first time in their existence on Wednesday night, when the Moldovans will be aiming to secure their fourth victory in a UEFA competition at the 18th attempt, following a number of unsuccessful campaigns in the Europa League and Conference League.
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Team News
Ordabasy remain without the services of defensive midfielder Samat Zharynbetov, with the 30-year-old picking up a knock earlier in the campaign.
The Blue and Whites are highly reliant on Yakhshiboev and Darboe for moments of attacking magic, but the hosts will be hoping that the likes of Sergiy Malyi could provide some threat from set pieces on Wednesday.
With experience of playing in the top flight of Brazil, 31-year-old Reginaldo is a key asset for Ordabasy at right-back, with the former Coritiba man looking to add to his tally of one goal at the club.
Petrocub have goals spread throughout their side, with Mihail Platica, Vladimir Ambros and Nicky Clescenco all finding the net on five occasions in the regular phase of the Super Liga during the 2023-24 term.
Ordabasy possible starting lineup:
Shayzada; Reginaldo, Maliy, Platsun, Sehovic; Makarenko, Tagybaergen, Umarov, Yakhshiboev; Sadovskiy, Besedin
Petrocub Hincesti possible starting lineup:
Smalenea; Jardan, Platica, Axenti, Potirniche; Lungu, Cotogoi, Puscas, Demian, Clescenco; Basit
We say: Ordabasy 1-0 Petrocub Hincesti
Already in the middle of their 2024 domestic schedule, Ordabasy should be sharper than their opponents and ready to take advantage of a Petrocub side who have only played one friendly fixture.
The Hincesti Lions enjoyed a fairytale season to earn a spot in the Champions League, but we feel that the Moldovans will have work to do at home next week following a first-leg defeat.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
