Preview: cup tie against Tergi Stepantsminda

Lineuper Arena hosts a big cup night on Wednesday as FC Lineuper welcome Tergi Stepantsminda in the round of 16. Kick-off is at 19:30, gates open at 17:30, and with the club on a five-match winning run, there is a lot of optimism in the stands.

The opposition

Tergi finished mid-table last season, but they are a dangerous cup side. Coach Merab Kiknadze has built a team around strong physical presence and quick transitions. Their top scorer, Beka Dzagnidze, has found the net four times in his last three outings. The mountain side beat Lineuper's U19s this autumn only after extra time, so the youngsters have already provided a warning.

Team news

• Captain Giorgi Maisuradze is fit after a minor knock in training.
• Luka Beridze has scored in each of his last four matches.
• Defender Otar Mikeladze returns from suspension.
• Midfielder Vakhtang Jibladze is a doubt with a calf strain.

It is a cup tie, so nothing is guaranteed. We respect Tergi, but we play at home, in front of our own people, and we want to go through.

Head to head

The clubs have met 24 times in competitive matches: 12 wins for Lineuper, 7 for Tergi and 5 draws. The last cup meeting, in 2023, was decided by a Maisuradze free kick in the 88th minute.

Getting there

The metro runs until 01:00 on match nights, and city buses 37 and 61 stop at the arena gate. Tickets start at 15 GEL and are available online and at the ticket office until noon on the day. Children under 12 enter the family zone for 5 GEL.

Follow the match in the club app, where we will publish line-ups an hour before kick-off.