Qarabag – Newcastle: who can seize the edge in the first leg?
On Wednesday, February 18, the first match of the UEFA Champions League qualifying round will see Qarabag take on Newcastle. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:45 CET, and I have a betting pick for this encounter.
Qarabag – Newcastle: match facts and head-to-head
- Qarabag have won their last two matches.
- They have claimed victory in three of their previous four outings.
- Qarabag have scored at least once in four consecutive games.
- Newcastle have also emerged victorious in their last two fixtures.
- The Magpies are currently on a six-match scoring streak.
- This season, Qarabag have found the net in both halves in 38% of their matches, compared to 32% for Newcastle.
- Qarabag have recorded more clean-sheet wins: 38% against Newcastle’s 20%.
- Newcastle have suffered defeats without scoring in just 10% of their matches, while Qarabag have done so in 12%.
- Qarabag and Newcastle have never faced each other before.
Qarabag – Newcastle: match preview
Qarabag represent the Azerbaijan Premier League and are firmly in the title race. After 20 matches, the team have collected 45 points and currently sit second in the standings, four points adrift of the leaders. In the UEFA Champions League, Qarabag managed to advance to the playoffs. Over eight matchdays, they picked up ten points and finished 22nd in the table.
Newcastle finished higher in the standings but fell short of breaking into the top eight. The team collected 14 points from eight league-phase matches, missing out on eighth place by just two points. In the Premier League, they are positioned mid-table. After 26 matches, they have amassed 36 points and occupy tenth place. However, their recent form has been inconsistent: two wins and three defeats in the last five rounds. In their most recent outing, the Magpies defeated Aston Villa 3–1 in the FA Cup to advance to the fifth round.
Probable line-ups
- Qarabag: Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazada, Medina, Cafarquliyev; Bicalho, Jankovic; Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir; Duran
- Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Ramsey, Tonali; Elanga, Willock, Gordon; Woltemade
Prediction
Qarabag will be ready to put up a fight on home soil, but Newcastle boast superior squad depth and individual quality. I expect them to secure an advantage in the first leg. My pick is a Newcastle win.
