Kukesi vs FK Qarabag Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Qarabag were one of the stories of the Champions League early last season. They made it through the qualifiers and in to the group stage for the first time, and as a result they ended up among some of Europe’s elite. They met then Premier League champions Chelsea, faced off with eventual semi-finalists Roma and struck a hammer blow to Atletico Madrid’s hopes of winning the competition. Two draws with the Spanish side were the highlight of their history in Europe, but can Qarabag progress to the last 32 yet again?

After first round success, the Azerbaijani side head in to the Champions League’s second qualifying round to take on Albanian opposition in Kukesi. Despite being on the road, the visitors have been priced up as favourites in this game, and that’s probably fair. The hosts come in to Wednesday’s meeting winless in nine matches, and they progressed past Valletta of Malta on away goals, thanks to an 84th minute smash and grab. That’s not exactly promising, but it is understandable.

Kukesi weren’t supposed to be Albania’s entrants in the Champions League. They finished second in the league last term, coming up nine points shy of Skenderbeu. However, they were banned from the competition for 10 years due to allegations of match-fixing, and that handed Kukesi a step up in to this competition. They haven’t quite adapted to that, as shown in their narrow first round victory. They’ve had mixed form of late, and they certainly don’t look capable of a lengthy run in this competition.

The hosts are coming up against an experienced side in Europe. Before their run to the group stage of the Champions League, Qarabag made the group stage of the Europa League for the three seasons before that. They’ve not made a huge impact in those competitions once autumn hits, but they are well versed in getting through the early stages. We expect them to do the same against Kukesi across the two legs of this tie, starting on Wednesday.

Qarabag made it to the group stage last season thanks to two wins in three on the road, while their one defeat saw them claim the away goal they needed to progress through the final qualifying round. They started off this season with a 1-0 victory against Olimpija in the away leg, before digging out a 0-0 at home to get through. It’s not incredibly stylish, but they tend to do enough on the road before relying on home form to see them through. That’s likely to happen again here, so we’re backing an away win, along with a low-scoring 1-0 victory.