Qarabag vs Hacken prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-12-13 17:45.
Locked in a straight shootout with Molde for second place in UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group H, Qarabağ simply need to match the Norwegian side’s result against group-topping Bayer Leverkusen in the group’s other game to secure their progression. You'd be brave to bet against the Azerbaijani’s wrapping up their passage to the UEL knockouts for the very first time against an already eliminated Häcken side who they beat 1-0 in the reverse in Sweden.
Whatever happens here for Qarabağ, they’re assured of some form of springtime European football, as even if they are leapfrogged by Molde, they will transfer into the UEFA Europa Conference League. That’s certainly a last resort for them, and they know a continuation of their 100% winning home record against Swedish opposition (W2) will keep their UEL dream alive, as they look to get back on track after Leverkusen ended their 13-match unbeaten European home run on matchday four.
Häcken’s first appearance in a European group stage hasn't exactly gone to plan, as five defeats from five unsurprisingly means they are already eliminated. Some of their defeats have been heavy too, as their 15 goals conceded is the most of any side in the UEL group stage so far, while they’ve only been able to supplement their leaky nature with two goals scored – the competition’s second-lowest tally.
At an average of 3.4 goals per game, entertainment certainly hasn’t been lacking, and it was again evident in their 4-3 friendly defeat to HJK last week. While a friendly in December may seem irrelevant, it’s worth noting it’s the only game Häcken have played so far this month, as with the Allsvenskan season concluded, this is the Wasps’ last competitive game until February, so they should be motivated to sign off on a high.
Players to watch: Qarabağ’s Juninho was on target in their last UEL outing against Molde (2-2), netting the opener, just as he did in the reverse fixture. Teenager Momodou Lamin Sonko is Häcken’s only UEL group stage away scorer this term with a first-half strike against Molde, but his two other European goals this term came after the 90th minute.
Hot stat: Five of Qarabağ’s last six UEL home games have witnessed under 2.5 goals.