Qarabag FK Vs FC Zurich Match Analysis And Prediction

Republished By Plato

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FC Zurich make a trip to Azerbaijan to take on Qarabag FK for the first leg of their second qualifying round tie Tuesday, as they continue the long road to Champions League group stage.

The teams meet at Tofiq Bahramov Stadium before next week’s return in Switzerland, and they will be looking to take a significant step towards the third round, with the tie’s losers dropping to the Europa League.

After trailing 1-0 going into the second leg of their opening round contest against Lech Poznan earlier this month, Qarabag utilised home advantage to eliminate the Polish champions, overturning the deficit to win 5-1.

Consequentially, Qarabag’s latest attempt to reach the Champions League for just a second time remains alive, with the team being the first Azeri club to progress to the group phase of the Champions League back in 2017.

Gurban Gurbanov saw his side return to top spot in the Azerbaijan Premier League last season, having previously failed to claim the title for the first time in eight years. The Horsemen also managed to complete a double by winning the cup in May

Meanwhile, FC Zurich have also previously made the Champions League group stage just once, back in 2009, when they finished fourth behind Real Madrid, Milan and Marseille.

Franco Foda’s side, whose defence of their domestic crown began with a defeat on Saturday, were twice European Cup semi-finals in the earlier decades of continental competition.

Kicked off by Liverpool and Real Madrid on those occasions, the Swiss Super League champions would love to rub shoulders with suce European heavyweights this season, after an absence of four years from any UEFA competition.

However, Zurich must bounce back quickly from the disappointment of losing 4-0 to Young Boys, who they finally overtook to become Swiss champions last season.

Qarabag FK vs FC Zurich head to head

The two teams have previously met on just one occasion in a friendly match back in 2015, where they played out a 1-1 draw. They now meet for the first time in a competitive match in the UEFA Champions League qualifications.

Zurich 1-1 Qarabag 21/01/15

Qarabag FK latest home form

Qarabag have recently been on a good run of form at home, and they have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They defeated Lech Poznan 5-1 in their last home game in the Champions League. In their last five matches, they have scored 15 goals and conceded just four.

Qarabag 4-1 Neftchi Baku 21/05/22

Qarabag (P)1-1 Zira 27/05/22

Qarabag 4-0 Botosani 25/06/22

Qarabag 1-1 Universitatea Craiova 29/06/22

Qarabag 5-1 Lech Poznan 12/07/22

Qarabag FK latest away form

Qarabag lost their last away game 1-0 to Lech Poznan in the Champions League. However, they have recently been on a good run of form on the road, as they have been unbeaten in their previous eight matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded four.

Qabala 1-3 Qarabag 20/04/22

Qabala 0-2 Qarabag 24/04/22

Sabail 0-3 Qarabag 15/05/22

Holstein Kiel 2-2 Qarabag 29/06/22

Lech Poznan 1-0 Qarabag 05/07/22

FC Zurich latest home form

FC Zurich have recently been on a good run of form at home, having lost just one of their seven most recent matches. They managed to defeat Wil 3-2 in their last home game in a friendly. In their last five matches, they have scored 23 goals and conceded eight.

Zurich 5-1 Sion 23/04/22

Zurich 2-2 Lausanne Sport 12/05/22

Zurich 2-3 Luzern 22/05/22

Zurich 11-0 Baden 15/06/22

Zurich 3-2 Wil 18/06/22

FC Zurich latest away form

FC Zurich have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having lost each of their two most recent matches. They lost 4-0 to Young Boys in their last away game in the Super League. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded 10.

Lugano 2-1 Zurich 19/05/22

Thalwil 0-7 Zurich 12/06/22

Viktoria Koln 1-3 Zurich 22/06/22

Stuttgart 3-2 Zurich 09/07/22

Young Boys 4-0 Zurich 16/07/22

Qarabag FK news

Qarabag are set to retain the same lineup from last time out, with Marko Jankovic contnuing in central midfield, while Qara Qarayev and Richard Almeida will battle it out to partner him in midfield.

Meanwhile, Brazilian winger Kady will be their goal threat in a three-man support cast for Ibrahima Wadji up front.

FC Zurich news

Zurich are again set to be without centre-back Becir Omeragic due to injury, after the defender missed their opening league match at the weekend.

Omeragic has been linked with a move away from the club during the current transfer window, but Wilfred Gnonto should still start in attack alongside Tosin Aiyegun.

Prediction and Odds

Both teams carry a goal threat and but Zurich will be a lot more in search of a win to quickly bounce back from their disappointing domestic league defeat last time out.

However, Qarabag have proven themselves lethal opponents in Baku, so they should at least travel to Switzerland next week on level terms.

Odds: 1 2.20 X 2.05 2 2.30