Europa Conference League

BATE

16 Jul 2026 18:00

AF Elbasani

Prediction:

AF Elbasani to win 2.02

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BATEDraw AF Elbasani

BATE vs AF Elbasani Predictions, Picks & Odds – 16/07/2026

Europa Conference League · 1st Qualifying Round

Our prediction

X2: Double Chance Draw or AF Elbasani

2.02 on Stake · Confidence Medium

Odds recorded on 15 Jul 2026 at 18:03 · Odds are subject to change

BATE vs AF Elbasani Preview

BATE enter this second leg at the Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına stadionu carrying the weight of poor recent form. The Belarusian side, once a familiar name in Champions League qualifying campaigns, have managed just a single victory across their last eight competitive outings. Three consecutive domestic defeats preceded the first leg, and manager Vitali Rogozhkin will hope that the resilient draw away from home can serve as a catalyst. Midfielder Egor Rusakov is pushing hard for a starting berth.

AF Elbasani arrive with quiet confidence after securing a creditable draw in the opening leg, where summer signing Ardit Nikaj netted the crucial equaliser. This is the Albanian club's maiden voyage into European competition, and manager Ivan Gvozdenovic has built a squad specifically tailored for this occasion. With the away goals rule no longer applicable in UEFA competitions, Elbasani know that any victory here will send them through, and their attacking output of over one and a half goals per match recently underlines the threat they carry.

BATE have managed just a single victory across their last eight competitive outings, and their three consecutive domestic defeats heading into this fixture paint a grim picture. AF Elbasani, by contrast, average 1.63 goals per game over the same span, suggesting they carry a genuine attacking threat. The draw at 3.30 offers solid cover, while the away win at 2.02 reflects the visitors' upside in a tie where one goal could prove decisive.

With the away goal rule scrapped from UEFA competitions, BATE cannot rely on home turf alone to edge through. AF Elbasani's Ardit Nikaj proved his quality by netting the equaliser in the first leg, and his expected retention in the starting eleven gives Ivan Gvozdenovic's side a reliable focal point. Backing the double chance covering a draw or an away win feels like the shrewdest route through this contest.

The under 2.5 goals market at N/A also warrants attention. Both sides drew their most recent fixtures, and the cagey nature of knockout football in the first qualifying round tends to suppress goal tallies. BATE's blunt attack and Elbasani's disciplined setup point towards a tight affair. Odds correct at time of publication.

Trends to Know about BATE vs AF Elbasani

• BATE won once in eight matches
• Elbasani average 1.63 goals per game
• Tie level after first leg draw

A mirror-image 4-3-3 vs 4-3-3 contest shapes up at Borisov, with BATE's experienced midfield trio anchored by Victorien Angban expected to set the tempo against an Elbasani side that will look to Léo Melo and Ousmane Niang for creative spark in the middle third.

Both lineups carry a 'probable' tag sourced from the same pair of outlets, so confidence levels are broadly equal on either side. BATE's home advantage and European pedigree make them the structural favourites here, though Elbasani's compact shape could make this a tight, low-scoring affair in the opening qualifying leg.

How to Watch BATE vs AF Elbasani Match?

What time is BATE vs AF Elbasani?

This second leg kicks off on 16 July 2026 at 18:00 local time in Baku.

Where is BATE vs AF Elbasani being played?

This match takes place at the Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına stadionu in Baku, Azerbaijan.

How Can I Watch BATE vs AF Elbasani on TV and Live Stream?

Check local listings and UEFA's official platforms for live broadcast and streaming details in your region.