Qarabag vs Malmo FF prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-02 16:45.
[p]Things didn’t exactly go to plan for Qarabağ on matchday one as they were well beaten by Tottenham Hotspur, although the 3-0 result was no huge shock given the gap in quality between the two sides. The Azerbaijan Premier League champions will see this fixture against Malmö as a much more realistic opportunity to get points on the board then, as they bid to replicate or better their remarkable run in this competition last season which saw them reach the UEFA Europa League (UEL) Round of 16 for the very first time. [/p]
[p]Qurban Qurbanov’s side did bounce back from their Spurs setback with a win this past weekend, although the 3-2 victory over Sabah looks far less impressive when you consider that they initially led 3-0. That did at least extend their run at home to three straight wins across all competitions, although both home matches in European action so far this season – both in Champions League qualifiers against Ludogorets and Dinamo Zagreb – ended in defeats.[/p]
[p]Malmö have already played seven games in European competitions so far this season, yet that familiarity with competing on the continent hasn’t helped to deliver positive results (W2, D1, L4). Their latest setback was against Rangers at home on matchday one (0-2), meaning that they’ve now lost each of their last seven group/league UEL games, which includes all six at this stage last term! [/p]
[p]Despite their rotten form in Europe, Malmö should at least take some confidence from their domestic showings of late. They won 2-0 against Mjällby in the game immediately following their loss to Rangers, making it five successive league matches unbeaten (W3, D2) to each be accompanied by a clean sheet! [/p]
[p]Key battle: Leandro Andrade looks likely to be Qarabağ’s dangerman having netted three goals across his past three home matches. Malmö defender Colin Rosler will aim to keep him quiet here, but he’ll want to avoid walking a tightrope in the referee’s eyes again as he could potentially pick up a third yellow card in as many competitive matches here. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Qarabağ have never faced Malmö in a H2H but have won five of their last six matches against Swedish sides (L1), including home and away against BK Häcken last season.[/p]
[p][i]Written by David H[/i][/p]