- Qarabag are priced at 1.12 for this game, with the draw at 7.5.
- Qarabag have won 4 of their last 5 games and are coming off 3 consecutive wins.
Azerbaijan vs Faroe Islands
This Thursday's UEFA Europa League qualification battle between FK Qarabag of Azerbaijan and IF Vestri of the Faroe Islands is unlikely to be a fair coin flip, given the odds heavily favor Qarabag, and this FK Qarabag vs IF Vestri preview points to a home side that should control proceedings.
Qarabag are a regular at this stage of the competition and have long been one of the strongest sides in the Azerbaijan top flight, with Qurban Qurbanov's long tenure at the helm (since July 2008) having granted them a sense of identity that many Eastern European clubs lack.
The hosts come into this game in great form with 4 wins and 1 draw from their previous 5 games. Their latest trio of results include a 3-0 win over Mil-Mugan Imisli FK, a 4-3 victory away at FK Sumgayit and a 4-0 win away to WSG Tirol. The latter two results in particular demonstrate Qarabag's ability to control the ball and suffocate opponents in their own half, while their 4-2-3-1 formation allows them to attack with a double pivot, attack from the full-back positions and play fast combination footy.
Vestri won't be outplayed in terms of effort
IF Vestri will not be outcompeted on effort levels here, but they could well be outplayed in the attacking third as they are a team with a single spark in Breki Hermannsson, who has scored 2 of their 6 goals in the last 5 games.
Vestri are in mixed form, with 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat from their latest 5. The draws have come in their most recent two games, the last of which was a 1-1 result away at Throttur Reykjavik, while the one before that was a 0-0 away to UMF Grindavik, suggesting they can keep it tight on their travels.
David Smari Lamude's side generally sets up a compact 4-4-2 which is aimed at blocking passing lanes, winning 2nd balls and being quick in transition. This should be a possession vs block battle, and this is Qarabag's territory. Vestri have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 2 of their 8 away games across all competitions, conceding an average of just 1.33 goals. For those looking at FK Qarabag vs IF Vestri betting tips, the home win stands out as the most logical angle.
Qarabag to win to nil
The hosts have won 6, drawn 2 and lost 2 of their 10 most recent games, a steady run that should see them get the better of Vestri here, and FK Qarabag vs IF Vestri prediction again leans firmly toward the Azerbaijani champions. 2 from 2 at home with no losses is another reason to back a Qarabag win here at short odds, while the alternative bet of Qarabag to win without conceding appeals given the home side's control and the conservative nature of Vestri on their travels. FK Qarabag vs IF Vestri prediction: home win to nil.
