Betdistrict.com
Karabakh Agdam is a big favorite to qualify when they hosts Valetta after a 1-0 win in the first leg. Match in the Champions League 2nd qualifying round.
Karabakh (also known as Qarabag) is hands down the best team in Azerbaidjan, a country with emerging football. There is big money being pumped into this team and they have a very good squad (made some good transfers this year also), will probably win the title again this season and can even hope to qualify for Champions League group stages – but it will be very hard.
 |
Excellent in-play markets and top-class live streaming coverage. Bet at Unibet and claim your bonus now ! |
Valletta was very lucky to win the title last year, they edged Birkirkara by the slimmest margin in the end of the season. Maltese football has developed a bit recently, Valletta can defend and frustrate opponents from semi-professional leagues especially at home, but they are clearly limited and have never got good results against teams of Qarabag’s quality. I wrote in my pick on the first leg that every time Valletta met decent opponents from countries like Belarus or Lithuania, they stood no chance of qualifying.
Karabakh was clearly superior in the first leg, taking 17 shots at goal and keeping 65% possesion. Considering that the score was only 1-0, they can’t sit back and relax today, it could be dangerous for them, so I expect the hosts to focus and play with their highest intensity – also their ambition to impress in Europe will help in this department, this is the ultimate goal for Azeri clubs and the reason for which money are being invested. Karabakh is a very strong team at home so they should be even more dominant than in the first leg and win with handicap here. They are expected to keep a clean sheet because of Valletta’s offensive impotence, and it’s hard to see Qarabag not scoring at least twice over the 90 minutes. The quality difference is very big, Karabakh looked good in the first leg, is playing at home now and they also have reasons to be focused and motivated, so I like the bet I will take here very much. My tip will be Karabakh to cover the 1,5 goal handicap. Correct score prediction: Karabakh Agdam – Valletta FC 3-0.
Pick: Karabakh (-1,5)
Odds: 1.85 @ Unibet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.80
Event date: 22 July
