Iberia 1999 host Malmo in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifying first round tie. Neither team has been at their best lately but the Swedes will come into this match counting on their experience in European competition.
Iberia 1999 head into this clash in poor form having made a disappointing start to the season. They have lost their last two matches, suffering a 3-1 defeat to Dila Gori in the Georgian Super Cup semifinal before falling in penalties to Torpedo Kutaisi in the third place match.
The Georgians do not have the best record in Europe and tend to struggle in UEFA competitions. Levan Korghalidze's men have never progressed beyond the preliminary stages and fell in the third round of the Conference League qualifiers last season.
Malmo are regulars in European competition and reached the Champions League playoffs last season. Henrik Rydstrom's team also played in the league phase of the Europa League last term and will look to bring all that experience into this clash.
The problem for Malmo is that their recent form has been unconvincing as they have drawn their last two matches, including a 0-0 scoreline at GAIS in their previous fixture. They are also unbeaten in eight of their last 10 away matches but have drawn three of the last four in that run.
How the bookies view it: Malmo on top
The bookies have installed Malmo as overwhelming favourites, with BoyleSports offering odds of 4/9 for a win. Iberia 1999 are considered outsiders at 5/1 while a draw is set at 11/4.
Head to head: No previous meetings
This is the first ever clash between Iberia 1999 and Malmo.
Players to watch: Johnsen to star
Lasse Johnsen has impressed for Malmo this season, scoring three goals from midfield. Striker Daniel Gudjohnsen has also caught the eye and both men could combine to produce over 1.5 goals for the visitors (over 1.5 goals – available at 4/6 with BoyleSports).
Iberia 1999 also have some quality up front and will look to Iuri Tabatadze, who scored nine goals last season. Playing alongside Irakli Sikharulidze, who scored five times, the hosts could be backed to produce over 0.5 goals – priced at 3/4.
Probable line-ups:
Iberia 1999 are without Jemali-Goorgi Jinjolava, who is currently sidelined with injury. Sikharulidze was a second half substitute in the previous fixture and could earn a start alongside Tabatadze in attack.
Striker Erik Botheim is currently sidelined with injury and will miss out for Malmo. Gudjohnsen could be handed a start after coming off the bench in the draw with GAIS while Jens Stryger is expected to continue at the back.
Iberia 1999: Makaridze, Gelashvili, Jgerenaia, Agyakwa, Mamageishvili, Kardava, Korkheli, Rusevic, Sligatadze, Tabatadze, Sikharulidze
Malmo: Ellborg, Karlsson, Stryger, Zatterstrom, Busanello, Ali, Rosengren, Johnsen, Bolin, Kiese, Gudjohnsen
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in three of Iberia's last four matches (BTTS YES – valued at Evens with BoyleSports). Two of their last three matches have also predicted over 2.5 goals – priced at 10/11.
There have been goals in both halves in three of Iberia's last four matches (Goal in both halves – 5/6).
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