Following a goalless stalemate in the first leg, Shakhtyor Soligorsk and Maribor renew hostilities for the second leg of their Champions League first-round qualifying battle on Wednesday night with kickoff at 8 pm.
Soligorsk’s Champions League qualifying debut last week was enough to set Sergey Tashuev’s side up well for their second leg, where they will try to do what no Miners side has done before them in the Champions League – reach the second round of qualifying.
This week’s hosts have previously fallen to Siroki Brijeg and Ludogorets at the first hurdle in 2006-07 and 2021-22 – losing all four games by a 1-0 scoreline – so a path into the second round would see Tashuev’s current crop write their name into the history books for more than one reason.
Soligorsk have been frequent visitors to the second and third rounds of Europa League qualifying, and they will still be presented with the opportunity to try to progress in the Europa Conference League should their run in the top tier come to an end this week.
Maribor will start their defence of the Slovenian title three days after they play Soligorsk, and while Karanovic’s side have never been eliminated from the first round of Champions League qualifying, they were beaten at that stage in Europa League qualifying by Coleraine last year.
Shakhtyor vs Maribor Head to Head
Both sides have one game against each other with the game ending in a draw. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Maribor 0-0 Shakhtyor
- Shakhtyor 0-1 Torpedo
- Ostrovets 1-2 Shakhtyor
- FK Arsenal 1-2 Shakhtyor
Away
- Maribor 0-0 Shakhtyor
- NK Race 1-7 Maribor
- Maribor 1-1 Partizani
- Maribor 2-2 Spartak
Shakhtyor Soligorsk Team News
Shakhtyor Soligorsk’s Roman Yuzepchuk picked up an injury in the first leg, and he may be replaced by Igor Ivanovic in tonight’s match. Tashuev is likely to name the same XI that drew Maribor in the first leg; Nikita Korzun will be ineligible for domestic matches but is eligible for this tie.
Maribor Team News
Meanwhile, Ferencvaros loanee Roko Baturina was given the nod in the number nine position from the off in Maribor, but Karanovic will ponder some changes to his firing line after an underwhelming attacking display last time out. Rok Sirk and Zan Vipotnik will challenge the 22-year-old for his place in the side here.
Prediction and Odds
It is expected that Tashuev’s men will frustrate their more revered visitors once again. The latter will have to rely on penalties to avoid being knocked out in the first round for the first time ever.
- Draw
- Goes to Penalties
- Double Chance
