Why there is no favourite in the match
The gap in the prices is moderate — from 2.40 on ML Vitebsk to 2.75 on Borac Banja Luka, and the closeness of the odds underlines how competitive the second leg is.
The return fixture will be played on neutral ground in Hungary — at the Mezokovesdi Varosi Stadion, which removes the classic home-field advantage for ML.
Borac took a slender lead from the first match (1:0) and, overall, have been steady in the current cycle. There have been setbacks, including a heavy defeat to Levski Sofia (0:4), but also confident wins over Petrocub-Hincesti (twice) and Velez Mostar (3:1) in the Bosnian league.
ML need to come from behind, and in Europe they have had two very different matches in Hungary. There was a heavy defeat in Champions League qualifying to CS Universitatea Craiova (1:4) and an easy win over Sutjeska (3:0).
ML's squad is far more expensive than Borac's — EUR15.5 million versus EUR9 million. That had no impact on the first-leg result because of the early sending-off for the Vitebsk side.
Form and Line-up ML Vitebsk
The Belarusian champions clearly look tired a month after starting their European journey. ML played their last domestic match back on 1 July — since then there have been two games in Champions League qualifying and then three in Conference League qualifying. Away to Borac, the Geese were let down by Mohammadi. The Iran national team's holding midfielder received two yellow cards by the 33rd minute, leaving Sokolinskii's team without an outfield player for a full hour. The Vitebsk side did nothing but defend, forgetting about attack.
Key numbers for ML Vitebsk:
The Geese played more than an hour with a man fewer a week ago. Iranian newcomer Mohammadi picked up two yellow cards in harmless situations.
ML have lost three European matches and won two.
ML have kept a clean sheet in only one of their last 10 matches.
Probable ML Vitebsk line-up (4-3-3): Pavel Pavlyuchenko — Sergei Balanovich, Kirill Gomanov, Zakhar Volkov, Yan Skibski — Aleksandar Mesarovic, Valeri Bocharov, Valeri Gromyko — Radivoj Bosic, Artem Kontsevoi, Bassekou Diabate.
Absentees: Milad Mohammadi (suspended).
Form and Line-up Borac
After a painful exit in the first round of Champions League qualifying against Levski Sofia (1:5 on aggregate), Marinovic's team found their game. Borac took three wins from their next four matches, including a strong start to the Bosnia and Herzegovina league. There, the team from Banja Luka dealt with Velez Mostar (3:1).
Key numbers for Borac:
The team from Banja Luka have lost only one of their six matches in the new season.
Borac have conceded more than one goal in only two European qualifying matches.
Borac allowed only two shots on target across 90 minutes of the first match against ML.
Probable Borac line-up (4-3-3): Mladen Jurkas — Sebastijan Herera, Jurich Carolina, Bart Meijers, Viktor Rogan — Milos Jojic, Amer Hiros, Sandi Ogrinec — Stefan Savic, Luka Juricic, Damir Hrelja.
Who Will Referee the Match
Andrew Madley (England)
Matches – 5 (international fixtures, 2023–2026);
Fouls on average per match – 22;
Yellow cards on average per match (including second yellows) – 2.6;
Matches with red cards – 2 out of 5;
Matches with penalties – 2 out of 5.
