Jagiellonia vs Saburtalo Tbilisi – News and Probable Lineups

In the initial leg of the Europa League’s last qualifying round, Jagiellonia Bialystok will host Saburtalo Tbilisi at Chorten Arena on Thursday.

Both teams entered the Europa League qualifying from the third round, with the hosts defeating Rangers 3-2 on aggregate and the visitors overcoming Larne 2-1.

Match overview

The matchup between Jagiellonia Bialystok and Rangers was a tightly contested affair, nearing extra time until Nik Prelec found the net in the 65th minute of the second leg on August 13, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

Jaga remains unbeaten in their last three European matches, having only lost twice in their last 16 UEFA competitions, with eight victories to their name.

Head coach Adrian Siemieniec is aware that his side is unbeaten in their last four home qualifying matches, where they claimed three wins and one draw, although he must also consider that Jagiellonia has suffered two losses in their last three European games at Chorten Arena.

The hosts enter Thursday’s match after five fixtures in the 2026-27 season, winning three times and drawing once.

Jaga has scored six goals in these games, conceding five, but they have managed to maintain seven clean sheets across their last 14 European home matches.

Saburtalo faced extra time against Larne in their previous qualifying round, ultimately winning 2-1 in the second leg on August 11 courtesy of a decisive goal from Nika Sikharulashvili in the 102nd minute.

Unlike the hosts, the visitors competed in the Champions League qualifiers but faced a 3-1 aggregate loss to Slovan Bratislava, leading them to drop down into the Europa League qualifiers.

The Red Eagles have alarmingly secured victory in just one of their last 13 European matches within the standard timeframe, registering seven losses during this stretch.

Head coach Andriy Demchenko will be concerned regarding his team’s record of just one win in their last eight away fixtures in UEFA tournaments, where they have suffered four defeats.

In half of those eight away games, Saburtalo was unable to find the back of the net, and they conceded at least two goals on four occasions.

Team News

Jagiellonia Bialystok might deploy a similar lineup to the one that faced Rangers in the second leg, likely featuring defenders Bernardo Vital and Yuki Kobayashi.

Midfielders Jesus Imaz, Taras Romanczuk, and Anders Klynge are anticipated to be rewarded with spots in the starting XI following their performances in that match.

Striker Prelec netted in the fixture against Rangers, and he may once again be supported by wingers Rodrigo Conceicao and Kajetan Szmyt.

On the other hand, Saburtalo might opt for an attacking trio consisting of Nika Sikharulashvili, Zviad Natchkebia, and Vakho Bedoshvili.

These forwards may receive assistance from midfielders Nikoloz Dadian, Giorgi Kutsia, and Bakar Kardava, with the trio also tasked with covering the centre-back partnership of Giorgi Kobuladze and Aleksandre Amisulashvili.

Jagiellonia Bialystok probable starting XI:

Abramovich; Wojtuszek, Vital, Kobayashi, Montoia; Imaz, Romanchuk, Klynge; Conceicao, Prelec, Szmyt

Saburtalo Tbilisi probable starting XI:

Makaridze; Selimovic, Kobuladze, Amisulashvili, Jinjolava; Dadian, Kutsia, Kardava; Sikharulashvili, Natchkebia, Bedoshvili

Thursday’s fixture is expected to be highly competitive, yet Saburtalo has often struggled when playing away in Europe.

Additionally, the visitors have faced difficulties finding the net during away matches, which may allow Jagiellonia to potentially gain an advantage going into the second leg.