FK Qarabag vs Dundalk Predictions

Dundalk are aiming to secure their place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League this week. However, can they survive a difficult test in Azerbaijan? The Irish champions are pushing for another great run in Europe, but they are at a disadvantage after coming up short in the first encounter at Oriel Park last week. These two drew 1-1 the last time they met, but can Dundalk build on that and secure a shock victory on the road?

These two are regulars in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. The pair are serial winners of their domestic leagues, with Qarabag finishing up eight points clear last time out. As they wait for the new season to start up, the home side will be aiming to secure another one of their European runs. Last season they made the Europa League group stage, while they’ve made it through to the Autumn with European football in each of the last five seasons, including a run to the Champions League group stage in 2017.

Dundalk had their last group stage appearance in 2016, although they’ve struggled for victories since. Wins over FCI Levadia in the Europa League have been their only joy in Europe since, while they reached this stage with two 0-0 draws against Riga. Whilst they squeezed through the first qualifying round on penalties after a goalless 180 minutes, they’ll need to do more here following their 1-1 draw in the first leg. Either a rare away win or an even rarer high scoring draw for Dundalk would see them into the next round.

However, the visitors have a serious problem scoring goals. They come into this clash having found the net in just one of the last five European games, with that goal coming in the first leg of this tie. On the road, they have their issues and they couldn’t break through at Riga in their last trip. Although the Irish side are dominating at home, they can’t quite make the step up in Europe. That leaves them with a major test in this visit to Azerbaijan.

The hosts have kept a clean sheet in six of their last seven home qualifiers in this competition, which has formed the backbone of their strong displays over recent seasons. They are worthy favourites to win this clash, while we expect the hosts to do just enough to see off the goal-shy visitors. We’re backing a home win to nil this week, along with a narrow 1-0 victory.