Later this week, UEFA Nations League qualifiers will get underway across Europe, with teams continuing their quest to book a place in the tournament. Kick Off Nigeria editor Nwosu Chigozie looks into the upcoming clash of Armenia and Georgia on Thursday, March 20.
Match Preview
Following a poor run in the qualifiers group stage, Armenia, who finished second in Group 4, will be forced into a Promotion/Relegation play-off to determine their fate in a two-legged fixture.
The Armenian senior national team, under its new Dutch manager, John Van’t Schip, will have its fate in its own hands, having been drawn against Georgia. A win over both legs will guarantee Armenia a place in the UEFA Nations League.
Similarly, Georgia, who are winless in their last four games in Group 1 of the qualifiers, will have a final lifeline to secure promotion via the Promotion/Relegation play-off.
Drawn to face Armenia, the Jvarosnebi’s success in the Nations League will depend entirely on their performance over both legs, as anything less than a win will jeopardize their chances of competing in the tournament.
Head-to-Head (Last Four Matches)
- Georgia 1-2 Armenia
- Armenia 2-2 Georgia
- Armenia 1-2 Georgia
- Georgia 0-2 Armenia
The fixture between these two rival nations, popularly known as the Caucasus Region Derby, has seen Armenia enjoy the upper hand in their last four meetings: Armenians have won twice, drawn once, and suffered one defeat. The most recent meeting between the two sides in 2020 ended in a 2-1 victory for Armenia, with Regensburg forward Sargis Adamyan scoring the match-winning goal in the 86th minute.
Team News
For this crucial fixture against Georgia, Armenia’s new head coach has named a star-studded 23-man squad. Unfortunately, the squad has suffered a setback due to injury concerns for Eduard Spertsyan, Hovhannes Harutyunyan, and Norberto Balekian. Additionally, Club Atlético Belgrano midfielder Lucas Zelarayán has withdrawn from the squad due to family-related issues.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s head coach Willy Sagnol recently released his 23-man squad, which includes a first-ever national team call-up for 20-year-old Luka Latsabidze. St. Étienne forward Zuriko Davitashvili and Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili have also been included in Georgia’s squad for this crucial fixture.
Prediction
Given the high stakes of this fixture for both teams, a low-scoring contest is expected, making Under 2.5 goals (1.75 odds on 1xBet) a likely outcome. Based on their last four meetings, Armenia enters this match as the slight favorite to win the first leg, with the team expected to score over 1.5 goals (3.30 odds on 1xBet). A straight win for Armenia is valued at 3.95 odds on 1xBet.
Armenia vs Georgia: Players to Watch
The Nigerian-born duo of Iwu Ugochukwu and Solomon Udo are two key players to watch for Armenia.
- Iwu Ugochukwu (Rubin Kazan midfielder) – Will be relied upon to create goal-scoring opportunities and contribute in attack.
- Solomon Udo (Defender) – An experienced center-back, Udo will aim to marshal Armenia’s defense and help his team keep a clean sheet.
For Georgia, the spotlight will be on:
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG striker) – The former Napoli forward is Georgia’s star player and will be expected to lead the attack and provide goals for his side in both fixtures.
Best Betting Odds and Tips
We’ve identified the following as the best tips for this match:
- Under 2.5 goals (1.75 odds on 1xBet).
- Armenia to score over 1.5 goals (3.30 odds on 1xBet).
- Straight win for Armenia (3.95 odds on 1xBet).
