AP Sports Preview: Lokomotivi Tbilisi vs. Sioni

TBILISI, Georgia (Interstat) — Lokomotivi Tbilisi will host Sioni on Sunday in a Geo-Gel Erovnuli Liga 2 matchup at Stadioni Tengiz Burjanadze in Gori, seeking to rebound from a shutout loss just three days prior.

The rematch comes Thursday after Sioni defeated Lokomotivi 2-0 at home. That result extended Sioni’s strong recent form, with the visiting team posting two consecutive scoreless draws in the days following that win — 0-0 at Aragvi Dusheti and 0-0 at Rustavi on Saturday. Sioni has not lost in its last three contests across all competitions.

Lokomotivi enters Sunday’s match on a mixed run. The home side won 3-2 against Aragvi Dusheti on Saturday, breaking a streak of two consecutive draws. Prior to that victory, Lokomotivi played to a 0-0 stalemate at WIT Georgia on Friday and lost 2-0 to Sioni on Thursday. In a busy stretch of five matches over four days, Lokomotivi also recorded a 0-0 draw against Rustavi and a 1-0 win over Spaeri on Thursday alone.

The congested schedule — both teams played on Saturday — could test squad depth and fitness. Lokomotivi has played eight matches in the past week, including a penalty shootout loss to WIT Georgia in November.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-1 draw on Sunday, though its ELO system gives Lokomotivi a 59.90 percent probability of winning. The discrepancy underscores the uncertainty surrounding the matchup.

Both sides face quick turnarounds after Sunday. Sioni returns home to host WIT Georgia later that same day, then travels to Dinamo Tbilisi II on May 30. Lokomotivi faces a travel-heavy slate, playing at Gareji and at Shturmi on Sunday — hours after hosting Sioni — before a home match against WIT Georgia on May 30.

Lokomotivi defeated Sioni 1-0 at home last season, but Thursday’s result suggests the matchup is tightening. With both teams facing a logjam of league and cup games, Sunday’s outcome could carry weight in the Erovnuli Liga 2 standings and momentum heading into a critical late-May stretch.