COCHRAN, Ga. (Interstat) — Regional rivals Guria and Kolkheti Poti will open their David Kipiani Cup campaigns on Friday in a matchup that pits a well-rested home side against a visitor seeking quick redemption.

The cup tie, part of Georgia’s domestic football competition, is scheduled for Stadioni Evgrapi Shevardnadze. Both teams enter the tournament with 0-0 records in the competition and identical marks across all competitions this season.

Recent form, however, presents a stark contrast. Kolkheti Poti arrives just days removed from a 3-1 road loss to Dinamo Tbilisi this past Monday. Guria, by comparison, has not played a competitive match since a 2-2 draw with Gagra on May 11, a layoff of over five months.

The statistical projections for the Halloween fixture are conflicted. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 1-1 draw. However, the same outlet’s ELO rating system gives Kolkheti Poti a significant 62.8 percent probability of securing a victory, suggesting the visitors’ tougher recent schedule may provide a competitive edge despite the short turnaround.

The game will be the first for both clubs in this season’s edition of the cup, named for the late Georgian football legend David Kipiani.