The first leg of the Champions League 2025/26 qualification playoff between Ferencvaros (Hungary) and Qarabag (Azerbaijan) will take place on August 19 at the Ferencvaros Stadium in Budapest. Ferencvaros vs. Qarabag: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Ferencvaros
The Hungarians have advanced through two stages in this Champions League campaign. Robbie Keane's side first overcame Noah (2-1, 4-3), and in the previous round, the club defeated Ludogorets (0-0, 3-0). Notably, in the clash with the Bulgarians, the team kept two clean sheets, although prior to that, Ferencvaros had conceded in five consecutive matches in this tournament. Their unbeaten streak in the Champions League now stands at five matches (3 wins, 2 draws). The last time the Hungarians reached the main stage of the Champions League was in the 2020/21 season.
- At least one goal has been scored in both halves in 7 of Ferencvaros's last 8 Champions League games.
- The club has conceded at least one goal in 7 of their last 9 home matches in the Champions League.
- The team has not lost in 7 of their last 8 matches in this tournament (5 wins, 2 draws).
Predicted lineup for Ferencvaros (3-5-2)
Denes Dibusz – Gabor Szalai, Stefan Gartenmann, Toon Raemaekers – Callum O'Dowda, Chebrail Makreckis, Bence Etves, Alex Toth, Gavriel Kanichowsky – Barnabas Varga, Lenny Joseph.
Qarabag
The Azerbaijanis have also progressed through two stages in the Champions League 2025/26. In the second qualifying round, the Agdam side defeated Shelbourne (3-0, 1-0), and in the previous stage, Gurban Gurbanov's team overcame Shkendija (1-0, 5-1). The goal conceded against the North Macedonians was the first for the team in this tournament. It is worth noting that Qarabag has never won four consecutive matches in the Champions League before. The club has only participated in the group stage of the Champions League once, in the 2017/18 season.
- The team has not drawn in 10 consecutive Champions League matches (7 wins, 3 losses).
- The club has scored at least two goals in 5 of their last 7 away games in this tournament.
- Qarabag has won 4 of their last 5 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Qarabag (4-5-1)
Mateusz Kochalski – Behlul Mustafazade, Kevin Medina, Mateus Silva, Elvin Jafarguliyev – Abdellah Zoubir, Kady, Leandro Andrade, Pedro Bicalho, Marko Jankovic – Nariman Akhundzade.
Referee
João Pinheiro (Portugal)
Matches – 16 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 48;
Average yellow cards per match – 3;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 25%.
Match Prediction: Ferencvaros vs. Qarabag
The Hungarians managed to contain Ludogorets's attack in the previous stage, but a solid defensive performance is not typical for the team. In the second qualifying round, Robbie Keane's side conceded four goals against Noah, who scored only one goal in their next international match against a team from Gibraltar. Even at home, Ferencvaros has kept a clean sheet in only two of their last nine Champions League matches, with at least two goals conceded in five of those games.
Gurban Gurbanov's side has gained momentum. The Azerbaijanis have already scored 11 times in this tournament, with the victory over Shkendija in the second leg being one of the team's most significant wins in the Champions League. Qarabag is not shy about attacking even away from home: the club has scored in 9 of their last 10 Champions League matches. Moreover, in 6 of those games, the Agdam side has scored at least two goals.
My prediction – Qarabag individual total over 0.5
