Qarabag FK vs Dundalk
Champions League Qualification
Date: Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Kick-off at 18:00 UK/ 19:00 CET
Venue: Dalga Arena (Baku).
Qarabag vs Dundalk statistics
This is the first match where one of these teams has faced clubs from their opposing countries in European competition
Qarabag have lost four of their last six home matches in Europe
Dundalk has only won one of their 11 European away games
Preview of the Qarabag vs Dundalk match
Dundalk will remember the memories of their great European campaign three seasons ago when they tried to bring down Qarabag from the Champions League in Azerbaijan.
In the summer of 2016, Irish League title holders must be in one round of the group stage in the continent's elite club competition, getting rid of the useful Belarusian team BATE Borisov before falling to Legia Warsaw and entering the European League group phase.
The difference this time, when Dundalk was preparing for another difficult trip, was that they drew 1-1 at home with Qarabag while they won 3-0 against BATE, so this task is undoubtedly much more difficult because they are trying to advance against maybe APOEL Nicosia next.
But at least the Lilywhites were level after Pat Hoban, who returned to the club for a second spell after four years with various clubs in the English League Two, equalized the opening goal from Mahir Emreli.
Last season, Qarabag were in the European League group stage and they lost all of their home matches, which should have provided a boost for Dundalk even though they themselves needed a penalty to get better
than Riga FC in the previous round of this competition.
This may not necessarily make them succeed because 0-0 will not be good enough because of Qarabag's away goal, but we can see Dundalk having a strong fight and holding their hosts in a low scoring contest.
TIPS OF BETTING BETS FK QARABAG VS DUNDALK
Dundalk aims to secure their place in this week's third Champions League qualifying round. However, can they survive a difficult test in Azerbaijan? Irish champions pushed for another big run in Europe, but they were in a disadvantage after coming short in the first meeting at Oriel Park last week. Both of them drew 1-1 when they last met, but can Dundalk build it and ensure a surprising victory on the road?
Both are permanent players in the Champions League qualifying round. The pair are winners of their domestic league series, with Qarabag finishing eight points last time. As they wait for the new season to start, the home team will aim to secure one of their European trips. Last season they made the Europa League group stage, while they made it to Autumn with European football in each of the last five seasons, including a run to the Champions League group stage in 2017.
Dundalk has their last group stage appearance in 2016, even though they have struggled for victory since then. Winning over FCI Levadia in the European League has been their only pleasure in Europe since then, while they reached this stage with two 0-0 draws against Riga. While they passed the first qualifying round on penalties after 180 minutes without a goal, they needed to do more here after drawing 1-1 in the first leg. Either an away win is rare or even a higher score draw is less frequent for Dundalk to see them in the next round.
However, the visitors have serious problems in scoring goals. They went into this clash after finding the net in just one of the last five European matches, with goals coming in the first leg of this match. On the road, they have their problems and they can't break through Riga on their last trip. Even though the Irish side dominated at home, they could not make a move in Europe. That made them a big test on this visit to Azerbaijan.
The hosts have kept clean sheets in six of their last seven home qualifying matches in this competition, which has formed the backbone of their strong performances during the last seasons. They are worthy favorites to win this match, while we hope the hosts do enough just to get rid of shy visitors. We supported home wins until zero this week, along with a narrow 1-0 victory
HEAD TO HEAD
Both drew 1-1 in the first leg last week.
