Qarabag welcomes Newcastle for the initial match of their Champions League elimination round play-off tie, scheduled for Wednesday evening at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium.
Having secured their inaugural Champions League triumph, a thrilling 3-2 victory over Benfica in September, Qarabag has already achieved a historic milestone this season.
Subsequent successes against Copenhagen and Eintracht Frankfurt facilitated their progression, even after enduring a substantial loss to Liverpool on the concluding fixture of the league phase.
Gurban Gurbanov’s squad has demonstrated notable strength in Baku, netting a minimum of two goals in three of their four home encounters.
They also managed a 2-2 draw with Chelsea and closely contested with Ajax in a goal-rich encounter.
Newcastle journeys to Azerbaijan with aspirations of enhancing their away performance in Europe. Since defeating Union Saint-Gilloise earlier in the campaign, Eddie Howe’s team has been unable to secure an away victory, suffering defeats in Marseille and achieving stalemates against both Bayer Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain.
Their draw in Paris was regarded as a commendable outcome, and the Magpies enter this fixture in excellent national league shape, following successive wins over Tottenham and Aston Villa.
Squad updates regarding Qarabag v Newcastle
Qarabag’s goalkeeper, Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev, is anticipated to be sidelined due to an ailment. Kady Borges is probable to play notwithstanding a recent sending-off, while attackers Camilo Duran and Leandro Andrade persist in offering the primary attacking danger, having been responsible for a considerable portion of the team’s continental goals.
Newcastle faces multiple fitness worries. Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, and Emil Krafth are all confirmed absent, whilst Sven Botman, Lewis Miley, and Yoane Wissa will undergo last-minute evaluations.
Anthony Gordon has been Newcastle’s exceptional player in the tournament, contributing six goals and two assists. He is anticipated to be pivotal alongside Harvey Barnes, who has also consistently made an impact in Europe this season.
Anticipated starting elevens for Qarabag v Newcastle
Qarabag: Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazada, Medina, Cafarquliyev; Bicalho, Jankovic; Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir; Duran
Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Ramsey, Tonali; Elanga, Willock, Gordon; Woltemade
Key statistics concerning Qarabag v Newcastle
- Qarabag represents the inaugural Azerbaijani club to advance to this phase of the Champions League.
- The home side has netted a minimum of two goals in three of their four continental fixtures at home this season.
- Newcastle remains without a victory in three road games in this season’s tournament.
- Anthony Gordon boasts six strikes in the current Champions League campaign.
- The return fixture will be hosted at St James’ Park.
Forecast
Qarabag
1
–
2
Newcastle
Qarabag’s offensive prowess in Baku indicates they will pose challenges, yet Newcastle’s attacking strength should guarantee their return to England with the tie still leaning in their advantage.
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