Qarabag — Ferencvaros : Match Preview and Prediction for August 27,2025

Qarabag’s Stellar Champions League Qualification Campaign

Qarabag has been absolutely sensational throughout the Champions League qualification rounds, securing victories in all five of their matches with an impressive aggregate score of 13-2! They now stand on the verge of reaching the coveted group stage.

Journey Through the Qualification Rounds

In the initial qualifying round, the Azerbaijani side faced the relatively modest Shelbourne. They wasted no time, effectively deciding the tie in the first leg in Ireland, where Gurban Gurbanov’s men delivered a commanding 3-0 defeat to the hosts. The return leg in Azerbaijan was a more composed affair, dictated by the “Horsemen,” ending in a comfortable 1-0 win. The second stage brought Shkendija, who had previously caused a stir by surprisingly eliminating FCSB. Many anticipated another upset from the Macedonian side, but the outcome was quite different. While Qarabag secured a narrow 1-0 victory in Macedonia, they completely dismantled their opponents in Azerbaijan with a dominant 5-1 performance, even after conceding the first goal. Few believed Qarabag could overcome Ferencvaros, especially with a strong showing in Hungary. The first half proved challenging, as they trailed 0-1. However, in the second half, the Azerbaijani team displayed football of extraordinary quality, netting three goals against the Hungarians. This remarkable turnaround effectively propelled them 70-80% closer to securing a spot in the Champions League group stage. Their success was built on excellent counter-attacking opportunities and effective utilization of set-pieces.

Domestic League Priorities

The home side’s management opted not to postpone their recent national championship fixture, which resulted in a 0-1 home loss to Sumgayit. However, it’s crucial to note that Gurbanov rested nearly all key players for that match, so the result should not be taken as a serious indicator of their current form.

Squad Availability

The Azerbaijani head coach has his full primary squad at his disposal, with no reported injuries or suspensions affecting his roster.

Ferencvaros’ Promising Season Start

Ferencvaros has enjoyed an excellent start to their season, smoothly progressing through each stage of the Champions League qualification while also maintaining a strong position in the Hungarian championship.

Navigating European Challenges

The “Green Eagles” were quite fortunate with their initial draw, as their first-round clash was against Noah, who only managed to put up a minimal fight. The Hungarians secured narrow but decisive victories, triumphing 2-1 in Armenia and 4-3 at home in Hungary. However, they then faced a formidable European campaigner in Ludogorets, with almost everyone favoring the Bulgarian side over Robbie Keane’s squad. Yet, Ferencvaros not only managed to secure a goalless draw away in Bulgaria, despite playing significantly better, but also comprehensively defeated Ludogorets 3-0 on their home turf. In their recent encounter against Qarabag, the match unfolded as expected in the first half: an early goal and complete control of the game. However, the second half brought an unexpected turn of events. The Azerbaijani team dramatically seized control, catching the hosts twice on counter-attacks and capitalizing on a set-piece. Their chances of a comeback now appear exceedingly slim.

Domestic League Performance

In the national championship, the visitors are performing quite well, despite an opening draw against MTK Budapest (1-1). This was followed by confident victories over Kazincbarcika (3-0) and Nyiregyhaza (4-1). While they did suffer a 1-2 home defeat to Puskas in the last round, the Irish coach, much like his counterpart, opted to give fringe players an opportunity.

Team News and Absentees

Robbie Keane has only one absentee from his squad, the injured Listes.