July 8th UEFA Champions League - FC Saburtalo Tbilisi VS Malmo FF Prediction
UEFA Champions League - FC Iberia 1999 Tbilisi VS Malmo FF
Match Time:09-07-2025 00:00 Wednesday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
------------------------------
FC Saburtalo Tbilisi Review
FC Saburtalo Tbilisi, the 2024 Erovnuli Liga champions, enter the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League first qualifying round with confidence, unbeaten in their domestic league (13W-5D-0L). Coached by Khvicha Shubitidze, their 4-2-3-1 formation leverages Iuri Tabatadze’s flair (8 goals, 3 assists in 2025) and Irakli Sikharulidze’s finishing (5 goals). Saburtalo average 2.3 goals per match at home, scoring in every league home game this season at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium. However, their European experience is limited, with a 5-0 aggregate loss to Dinamo Zagreb in the 2019-20 Champions League qualifiers. A recent 3-2 loss to FC Torpedo Kutaisi in the Georgian Super Cup exposed defensive frailties (4 goals conceded in 9 home games). No major injuries reported, though Tabatadze is questionable (minor knock). Recent form: WWDWL.
Malmö FF Review
Malmö FF, Sweden’s 2024 Allsvenskan champions, are seasoned Champions League qualifiers, last reaching the group stage in 2021-22. Coached by Henrik Rydström, their 4-4-2 formation relies on Isaac Kiese Thelin (7 goals) and Sebastian Nanasi (4 assists). Malmö average 1.38 goals per match but have struggled recently, winning just one of their last six across all competitions (W1-D2-L3), including a 2-0 loss to IFK Göteborg. Their away form is shaky, with only one clean sheet in six (1.2 goals conceded). Injuries to Erik Botheim (broken shin), Pontus Jansson (hamstring), and doubts over Johan Dahlin and Martin Olsson weaken their squad. Despite this, Malmö’s European pedigree (16 prior qualifying campaigns) gives them an edge. Recent form: LDWDL.
Head to Head
No direct competitive matches between Saburtalo and Malmö are recorded, making this first leg on July 8, 2025, at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium their first encounter. Saburtalo’s home strength (8W in 9 league games) contrasts with Malmö’s inconsistent away form, but the Swedish side’s experience in European qualifiers (55.56% of away games over 1.5 goals) suggests a competitive clash. Expected goals per match: ~2.5, based on both teams’ scoring trends.
Prediction: FC Saburtalo Tbilisi 1-1 Malmö FF
Saburtalo’s unbeaten domestic run and home scoring prowess (2+ goals in 6 of 9 home games) make them a threat, especially with Tabatadze and Sikharulidze in form. Malmö’s experience and squad depth are tempered by injuries and poor recent form (4 scoreless games in last 6). Bookmakers favor Malmö (odds 1.47), but Saburtalo over 0.5 goals is likely (78% probability), given Malmö’s single away clean sheet. X posts suggest a tight game, with a 1-1 draw as the most common simulated scoreline (15/100 simulations). Saburtalo’s home crowd and Malmö’s depleted squad point to a draw, with both teams scoring. Tabatadze could score for Saburtalo, with Kiese Thelin responding for Malmö.
From:Preview
The Most Popular
-
July 6th Indonesia President Cup - Persib Bandung VS Port FC Prediction -
European Giants Collide: Real Madrid vs Dortmund in High-Stakes Club World Cup Showdown – 2786431 -
Prediction: July 5th FIFA Club World Cup Quarterfinal Paris Saint Germain (PSG) vs Bayern Munchen -
Prediction: July 5th FIFA Club World Cup Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund -
PSG vs Bayern: Quarter-Final Clash Set to Ignite Club World Cup -
Prediction: July 7th, UEFA Women's EURO Match France (W) vs England (W)
