Elfsborg vs Qarabag prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 20:00.
[p]Elfsborg have arguably been one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) this season, having beaten Roma and pushing AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray all the way, only to lose narrowly to both. The Swedish side have just four points to show for their efforts from five league-phase games, meaning that they are languishing outside of the knockout qualification spots and are heading towards an early exit in what is their first main-draw European campaign for 11 years. [/p]
[p]After their domestic season ended several weeks ago, the UEL will be Elfsborg’s only form of competitive football for the next couple of months. The fact that their next game is at home should give the squad a boost in spite of their lack of action, as the Yellow Ones have lost just two of their last 11 matches at the Borås Arena inside 90 minutes (W6, D3). [/p]
[p]Opponents Qarabağ find themselves a point below their hosts, but their only UEL win so far this term came in Scandinavia against Bodø/Glimt (L4), which should give them a lift ahead of this latest trip, as should the fact that they have won five of their seven previous meetings with Swedish opposition (L2). [/p]
[p]Manager Gurban Gurbanov must find a way though to shore up the leakiest defence in the UEL league phase though, or else a third defeat could be on the horizon, after the Azerbaijani side conceded 13 goals in five games. Qarabağ come into this clash on a downer too after dropping vital points over the weekend in their ongoing bid to win a fourth successive Azerbaijani top-flight title, slipping to second place in the process, so a result on Thursday seems pivotal if they are to reignite their season on two fronts. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: After making his competitive debut for Elfsborg last month, 19-year-old Ludvig Richtnér is forcefully making his case to be involved here, scoring in his side’s two friendlies after their domestic season concluded. Nariman Akhundzade, a year his senior, has really been making his mark at first-team level since early last season and has found the net after half-time in both of his last two appearances. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: The home side on the day hasn’t scored in the first half in Qarabağ’s last five games. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]