The UEFA Nations League promotion playoff brings together two Caucasus rivals, as Armenia host Georgia in the first leg of a crucial showdown in Yerevan.
Can Armenia take a crucial first-leg lead, or will Georgia continue their recent progress on the international stage?
Georgia have not beaten Armenia since 2011, and Armenia won the last competitive meeting 2-1 in 2020.
Armenia come into this game under new management, with John van βt Schip taking charge for the first time.
However, their home form has been poor, with just three wins in their last 12 on home soil.
π Last 5 matches: ββ
ββ
β
β½ Last match: 2-0 loss vs. North Macedonia (H)
β Eduard Spertsyan (injured)
β Hovhannes Harutyunyan (injured)
β Norberto Briasco (injured)
β Lucas Zelarayan (absent for family reasons)
β Nicholas Kaloukian could make his debut.
β Wins: 1 | π€ Draws: 1 | β Losses: 2
Armenia failed to score in their last two home matches.
Georgia have developed into a strong international side, qualifying for Euro 2024 and reaching the knockouts.
However, their Nations League form dipped towards the end of the group stage.
π Last 5 matches: ββ
βπ€β
β½ Last match: 2-2 draw vs. Ukraine (H)
β Guram Kashia (suspended)
β Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (suspended)
β Luka Latsabidze could make his debut.
β Wins: 1 | π€ Draws: 1 | β Losses: 2
Georgia won only one away match in the group stage.
β
Armenia 2-1 Georgia β Nov 2020 (Nations League)
π€ Armenia 2-2 Georgia β Oct 2020 (Nations League)
β
Georgia 2-1 Armenia β Feb 2011 (Friendly)
β½ Prediction: Armenia 1-1 Georgia
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Armeniaβs poor home form and lack of goals could hurt them, but Georgiaβs defensive issues mean this is likely to be a tight, low-scoring game.
π Both Teams to Score: No β
π Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Under 2.5 Goals β
π First Goal Scorer: Georges Mikautadze β
π Half-Time Result: Draw (0-0) β
π§€ Cancarevic
π‘οΈ Tiknizyan β Muradyan β Haroyan β Hovhannisyan
β‘ Manvelyan β Udo β Iwu
π₯ Bichakhchyan β Ranos β Serobyan
π§€ Mamardashvili
π‘οΈ Lochoshvili β Dvali β Kashia β Goglichidze
β‘ Kochorashvili β Kiteishvili
π₯ Chakvetadze β Mikautadze β Zivzivadze
π
Match Date: March 20, 2025
π Venue: Yerevan, Armenia
β° Kickoff Time: 5:00 PM UK Time
This Caucasus Derby is likely to be a tense, low-scoring first leg.
Can Armenia make their home advantage count, or will Georgia take control ahead of the second leg?
π₯ Whatβs your prediction? Drop your thoughts below!
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