Both looking to record their maiden victories of the League Phase in the revamped competition, Qarabag FK and Malmo will clash on Thursday night in the Europa League.
The Stallions struggled at the home of a Premier League side last time out, whereas the Blue Ones were unable to get the better of Scottish opposition in Sweden.
Match preview
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Commencing their League Phase campaign of this season's revamped Europa League, Qarabag found themselves up against one of the favourites to lift the trophy in the form of Tottenham Hotspur, who survived a first-half scare to collect maximum points in North London.
It appeared as if the Stallions might have been on course for a historic result against the English giants when Radu Dragusin was sent off for the Lilywhites in the eighth minute, although that did not stop the hosts from running out three-goal winners courtesy of Brennan Johnson, Pape Sarr and Dominic Solanke strikes.
Since that disappointing trip to the English capital last Thursday, Qarabag have extended their lead at the top of the Azerbaijani first division thanks to a 3-2 win over mid-table dwellers Sabah, with the Stallions netting all of their goals inside the opening 17 minutes of the contest.
Winning their respective domestic division for three straight years, Qarabag are attempting to do a Manchester City and achieve a fourth success in a row, with Thursday's hosts in the Europa League currently two points ahead of second-placed Araz PFK after seven matches.
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Losing to Czech giants Sparta Prague over two legs in August, Malmo missed out on Champions League qualification at the final hurdle, meaning that the Scandinavian giants dropped down to the Europa League, facing a struggling Rangers side in their first League Phase contest.
The Scottish giants enjoyed a perfect start to their trip to Eleda Stadion as Nedim Bajrami opened the scoring for the Gers within the first minute, before a second-half strike from young substitute Ross McCausland sealed three points for Philippe Clement's trophy-chasing troops.
Approaching the conclusion of the 2024 Allsvenskan campaign, Malmo are on course to lift the Swedish crown on back-to-back occasions for the first time since 2021, with Henrik Rydstrom's side 10 points clear of second-placed Djurgardens IF with only five games remaining.
The Blue Ones have enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten streak on their domestic scene over the last few months, an impressive record which was stretched on Sunday afternoon courtesy of goals from Soren Rieks and Isaac Kiese Thelin sealing a 2-0 win over Mjallby at Eleda Stadion.
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Team News
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Qarabag remain without the service of goalkeeper Amin Ramazanov, who will be sidelined until the middle of March due to a cruciate ligament injury.
The Stallions are also unable to call upon the talents of Marko Vesovic, with the right-back yet to feature for the Azerbaijani champions this season.
Joining from Stoke City over the summer window, Sead Haksabanovic played in just three Allsvenskan matches for Malmo before picking up a season-ending groin injury.
The Blue Ones are expected to be without the talents of Stefano Holmquist until after the October international break because of a back injury.
Yet to feature in this calendar year due to a ligament injury, central midfielder Oscar Lewicki is targeting a return at some point next month.
Qarabag FK possible starting lineup:
Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazade, Huseynov, Jafarquilyev; Romao, Andrade, Bayramov, Benzia, Zoubir; Juninho
Malmo possible starting lineup:
Dahlin; Jansson, Rosler, Olsson; Larsen, Ali, Johnsen, Rosengren, Rieks; Thelin, Botheim
We say: Qarabag FK 1-0 Malmo
Despite the negative result last Thursday night, Qarabag will be stronger following their match against one of the favourites for the Europa League crown.
As a result, we expect the Stallions to record their maiden win of the competition, sentencing Malmo to back-to-back defeats on the continent.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
