Champions League
2025-08-12 - Qarabag vs Shkendija
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round Second Leg
Tuesday 12th August 2025 - Kick Off 5pm
Preview
There is still work to do in this tie for Qarabag, despite the 0-1 win in the First Leg, and the players have to make sure they are not thinking too far ahead. The Champions League Play Off Round draw was made ahead of this tie and Qarabag will certainly feel they are in with every chance of making it through to the League Phase of this competition, although they have to ensure they are progressing by holding onto the lead earned.
Three European games have been played and Qarabag have kept clean sheets in all of those and that has to be the first port of call for them in this Second Leg. They were able to comfortably dismiss Shelbourne in the Second Qualifying Round, while Qarabag have plenty of European experience to aid them in their approach to this fixture where the onus is now on the away side to try and force their way back into the tie.
A single goal deficit is not one that will overly concern Shkendija, especially having beaten FCSB in both Legs in the Second Qualifying Round. That is a victory that will impress and much more so than the narrow, tight, competitive victory over TNS from Wales when Shkendija needed Extra Time in the Second Leg at home before finally being able to see them off.
Shkendija were back in domestic action this past weekend and secured a thumping 5-1 home victory to boost the confidence and they have won 3 of their last 4 games in all competitions. There was plenty to like from the North Macedonian Champions in the First Leg and that will offer the squad encouragement, while winning in Bucharest in the Second Qualifying Round Second Leg snapped a poor away run in UEFA competitions.
Prior to that, Shkendija had not won any of 4 away games played in European competition and they had lost 2 of those at Haverfordwest County and Noah. The last 3 before the win over FCSB had seen Shkendija fail to score a goal and so there is a tough challenge that awaits them.
Of course that victory over FCSB will have gotten plenty of notice amongst these early Qualifying teams and Qarabag should be focused. Twelve months ago, Qarabag did not really impress in the home Qualifying ties played, which will be a concern, but there is an advantage here for an experienced team and especially when facing an opponent that has perhaps overachieved to move into the Third Qualifying Round in the first place.
Shkendija will arrive in Azerbaijan unbeaten in 8 away games in all competitions, but 4 have been draws and there has perhaps been a lack of goals in the squad for this level of football.
This is the first time these teams will meet in a competitive fixture hosted by Qarabag.
Prediction
The advantage from the First Leg is a slender one and that should mean Qarabag are that much more focused in their bid to reach the Play Off Round of the Champions League Qualifiers.
Shkendija may have overachieved, but they have to be respected and winning at FCSB in the last Qualifying Round is a big result.
However, this is not a team that has been the most productive of recent travellers in European Football and Qarabag's experience should be important. FCSB were trailing from the First Leg and ultimately were picked off late on, but Qarabag showed in their win over Shelbourne that they will be patient, even at home, and that could be key to their chances of progressing.
Three clean sheets in the Qualifiers will give the team confidence that they can contain the visiting threats and Qarabag may do just enough in the final third to edge to the victory again.
The Pick :
Qarabag 1-0 Shkendija
