Taraz stubborn opponents but Astana expect victory

These are busy days for the home team, as they were in action only three days ago in the Europa League. Thankfully the previous game, versus BATE, was also a home game here at Astana Arena. The away team is better rested.

One slightly interesting match fact is that this game is played on artificial turf and that the visiting Taraz have a different surface at their stadium (grass). The impact of this is hard to measure exactly, but the visitors stats on artificial turf is 2-0-5 (win-draw-loss) from seven matches. Taraz have a very long trip to this away game, as there's more than 1500 kilometers in distance to cover. This could prove a challenge, at least for the supporters.

Astana form and stats

Astana, who have the most scored goals (41) in Premier League, are steadily winning Premier League games and points here at Astana Arena. 8 wins, 0 draws and 3 defeats is the summary from 11 games. The happy trend is alive also outside their own arena as Astana has won their last four matches. Astana has won so many consecutive home games (five in a row) that they struggle to remember the last time points were lost here at Astana Arena. We remember; it was Kairat.

Astana's last game was hosting BATE and winning 3-0. A strong away win before that one, visiting Valletta and winning 4-0.

There will be little rest for Astana after this match as they are travelling to BATE for a Europa League game in only four days.

With an average of more than two goals per home game in the league (23 in 11 games), Astana's attacking play is working. Astana have conceded 11 in these home matches.

Taraz form and stats

Taraz, who have the fewest points (5) away in Premier League, have only collected 5 points from their away games in the Premier League, after 1-2-8 (11 played). Three might be a magic number, but there's been little wizardry in Taraz's last three away games as they have all been lost.

Taraz failed to get anything from their last game, a home match vs Kairat that ended with defeat 0-2. A 0-1 loss hosting Kairat before that.

As mentioned above, the bookmakers do not believe the away team will get anything from this match. Checking Taraz's match history for similar games we find one match. The home team won 1 of these as expected, 1 of them by at least two goals. Taraz managed 0 draws and 0 surprise wins.

The visitors have scored 7 goals from 11 away games in the league, an average of less than one per game. For Taraz, more than two goals on average per game end up in their own net.

Head 2 Head

Astana and Taraz have met before this season: Astana - Taraz 4-0. H2H stats regardless of arena (last ten matches): Astana 8 wins, 0 draws and Taraz 2 victories. As for goals, 5 matches ended with three or more goals (over 2,5), 5 games had two or less.

Top Goalscorers

S. Muzhikov 1 goals

S. Nyuiadzi 1 goals

G. Kan 1 goals

Astana missing players

Taraz missing players