Botev Plovdiv are well in the driving seat following a 1-0 victory in Kazakhstan, but their opponents will be hoping to spring a surprise in the return leg.

Stanimir Stoilov’s side finished the previous league campaign in fourth place, which was an excellent result for one of the oldest clibs in Bulgaria, and they now aim to continue their latest uptrend in fortunes.

Botev were awarded a place in Europa League qualifiers after CSKA Sofia withdrew from the competition and it is now up to them to make the most of this opportunity.

The team did really well to record a 1-0 away win over Astana and there is definitely value in betting on home win at odds of 1.80 (4/5) offered at Coral.

The Canaries have signed several very good players this summer, including Anicet, Domovchiyski and Kortzorg, and they do look like favourites to see off their less illustrious opponents for the second time in seven days.

Botev start their league campaign in some ten days and no doubt they will want to win this match and keep the good atmosphere in the squad.

New signings Elvedin Dzinic and Valeri Domovchiyski are not eligible to face Astana, while forward Ivan Tsvetkov remains sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Stachowiak – Hristov, Sprockel, Grncarov, Minev – Galchev, Anicet, Jirsak, Vander – Ognyanov, Kortzorg.

FC Astana have developed into one of top Kazakhstan clubs over the last few years despite being established no less than four years ago.

The club have already won the Kazakhstan Cup two times, but they were not eligible to participate in Europa League as they had not existed for at least three years.

Astana played their first ever European match as they hosted Botev Plovdiv last Thursday, but the lack of European experience proved to be a problem and they ended up losing the match 1-0.

The Kazakhs are hoping they can show some improvement in the return leg, and they are 4.50 (7/2) with Stan James to win in Plovdiv.

Astana have signed several quality players this summer, Eldos Akhmetov, Blazo Igumanovic, Cicero Casimiro and Daurenbek Tazhimbetov, but only Igumanovic was on the pitch in the first leg.

Miroslav Beranek’s side currently sit in second place in domestic league, but they are winless in last three matches.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Eric – Beisebekov, Dmitrenko, Zelao, Igumanovic – Kethevoama, Korobkin, Nurdauletov, Konysbaev – Cicero, Nuserbaev.

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