The Ramaz Shengelia Stadium in Kutaisi will host the second leg of the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round between Torpedo Kutaisi and Zira on Thursday, July 16, 2026. The first leg, played a week ago at the Sumgayit City Stadium, ended in a comprehensive 3-0 victory for the Azerbaijani side, leaving Torpedo with a mountain to climb on home soil.

Torpedo Kutaisi: Slumping Form and Playing for Pride

The Georgian outfit enters this decisive home fixture trapped in a prolonged slump, failing to capture a victory in five consecutive official matches while suffering four defeats. In Baku, Torpedo's defensive line crumbled under pressure, allowing three goals without offering much resistance. Overturning a three-goal deficit in European continental competition is incredibly rare, but playing in front of their home crowd, Torpedo will have to deploy an aggressive strategy to salvage their pride and snap their winless streak.

Zira: Tactical Mastery and Directing the Tempo

Zira executed a flawless tactical game plan in the home leg. Brazilian defender Ruan Renato emerged as the unlikely hero by bagging a clinical brace, while forward Davit Volkovi completed the scoring. Armed with a dominant 3-0 cushion, manager Rashad Sadyghov will prioritize pragmatism, defensive organization, and injury prevention in Georgia. Known for their structured low-block defense, Zira have no incentive to open up the pitch or take unnecessary risks.

Key Match Stats & Head-to-Head

• Zira controlled the first leg to secure a convincing 3-0 victory on July 8, 2026.

• Torpedo Kutaisi have failed to win any of their last five competitive matches across all systems.

• This tie marks only the second official meeting between these two clubs in football history.

Torpedo Kutaisi vs Zira Prediction

Expect Torpedo Kutaisi to press high from the opening whistle, desperately searching for an early goal to breathe life back into the tie.

However, Zira's primary strength lies in their ability to suffocatingly slow down the game's tempo and kill off space.

Unless the hosts manage to find a breakthrough within the opening 20 minutes, this matchup is highly likely to devolve into a cagey, low-scoring affair. For official match stats and live updates, visit UEFA.com.

Match Prediction: Total Under 2.5 Goals.