Qarabag vs Viktoria Plzen: Preview and Prediction

By

 Aron Wright

Qarabag vs Viktoria Plzen:
Champions League Qualifiers.
Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2016,
Kick-Off: 17:30 UK
Venue: Tofiq Bahramov Stadium (Baku).

The scores are tied at 0-0 and it’s anyone’s game to win when Qarabag host Viktoria Plzen for the second leg fixture of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.

Qarabag must be in good spirit after holding Viktoria to a goal-less draw at their own backyard a week ago. But there is equal risk that they cannot afford to settle for a scored draw which may cause the visitors to advance to the play-offs.

The 2015/16 Azerbaijan Premier League winners had qualified for a UEFA competition only once in their history, when they made it to the group stages of 2015/16 Europa League. This is the year in a row that Qarabag are making it to the UEFA Champions League qualifiers and third time in their history.

FC Viktoria Plzen won the Czech First League last season had made it to the UEFA Champions’ League group stages on two occasions – 2011/12 and 2013/14. They were in the Europa League last season and failed to get through the group stages. They have the experience of meeting strong teams in Europe in the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Qarabag vs Viktoria Plzen: Head-to-Head Stats

This will be only the second time that these two sides are meeting in a UEFA tournament after the 0-0 draw in the first leg.

The first leg clash is the only opponent from Azerbaijan that Plzen had met so far.

While Qarabag had previously played against Czech side FK Jablonec in the first qualifying round of 1997/98 UEFA cup, which finished 8-0 on aggregate after losing both and away legs.

Qarabag vs Viktoria Plzen: Prediction

Qarabag held F91 Dudelange from Luxembourg to a draw in the away leg of the previous round of the qualifier, but eased the past 2-0 at home to advance to the next round. They must win this, but Viktoria Plzen are a much stronger and experience opponent.

Also the away-goals-rule put Plzen in a strong position as they just need to draw this game to advance to the play-offs. I believe the visiting side are firm favourites and will come out with a narrow victory. I also back a correct score prediction of 1-0 in favour of Plzen.

Qarabag vs Viktoria Plzen: Tips

1. Viktoria Plzen to win.
2. Under 2.5 goals.