Dundalk V Qarabag
Wednesday, 24th July 2019 – 19:45 Kick-Off
UEFA Champions League Second Round
Pick: Dundalk or Draw (Double Chance)
Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Boylesports
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/4 | 2/1 | 13/10 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 22nd July 2019 at 22:41)
Preview: League of Ireland champions Dundalk have been handed an incredibly tough assignment in the second round of Champions League qualification, against Azerbaijan’s Qarabag. The latter have a proven track record in these early rounds and will, understandably, begin the tie as favourites to progress. The Oriel Park stadium, home of Dundalk, is the venue.
Champions League Betting at 22Bet
Dundalk Preview – Progress dependent on result at home?
The life of a Dundalk supporter must feel rather good at present. A league and cup double in the last campaign. Another League of Ireland title imminently in the offing as well, with ‘The Town’ establishing a commanding lead over all their rivals with more than half of the current league campaign completed. And now one step closer to the Champions League group stage.
Just one step closer, mind. This after winning a hard-fought encounter with Latvian champions FC Riga in the previous round; goalless draws in both legs meant extra-time and penalties were required, with Dundalk holding their nerve in the shootout. The draw in the home leg was particularly worthy of note, as it extended the Irish side’s strong recent form in Europe when at their Oriel Park stadium.
Dundalk have now gone four home games in European qualifiers without losing (W1 D3); and going further back, to 2015, it is just one defeat in eight there (W2 D5 L1). Their record outside of Ireland is much less convincing and that places greater emphasis on these home encounters, where even domestically the team continue to excel – they’re the only remaining unbeaten side at home in this season’s League of Ireland (W10 D2, GF26 GA6).
Last season saw them record a 2-1 victory at home to FCI Levadia of Estonia in the first round of the Europa League, a result which helped them progress 3-1 on aggregate. The following round, meanwhile, saw them exit altogether, after an encouraging 0-0 draw at home was undone by a heavy 4-0 defeat out in Cyprus to AEK Larnaca. So they will be well aware of the importance of gaining the upper hand here.
Qarabag Preview – Stubborn Azerbaijani champs out to frustrate in Ireland?
Their strong pedigree in Europe, having participated in the group stages of Europe’s club competitions in each of the past five seasons, makes Qarabag justified favourites to progress over the course of the two legs. Their record once there, however, is less impressive, but the sheer sight of them repeatedly qualifying means they are deserving of the utmost respect in these early rounds of the tournament.
It was only a couple of seasons ago they successfully qualified for the Champions League group stage, overcoming teams from Georgia (Samtredia), Moldova (Sheriff Tiraspol) and Denmark (FC Copenhagen) in order to book their spot in the competition proper. Last season, however, was spent in the Europa League but only after losing by a solitary goal in the third round of Champions League qualifying to BATE Borisov.
Put simply, Qarabag – champions back home in each of the past six seasons – are one of those understated sides whose efforts on the continent often go unnoticed. They are especially dangerous away from home, possibly due to their deep-lying formation and counter-attacking style. It’s proven highly effective in recent times, of that there is little doubt.
In their successful league campaign last term they registered more points, won more games and scored more regularly when on their travels (W11 D2 L1, GF35 GA10). In Europe, meanwhile, they have only been beaten twice in their previous seven away encounters (W3 D2 L2). Three of their four away matches in last season’s qualifying rounds produced one goal or fewer, which highlights how effective their set-up is away from home in restricting the opposition’s impact on proceedings.
Dundalk V Qarabag Key Facts:
- Dundalk are unbeaten in four home games in Europe (W1 D3).
- Qarabag have only lost twice in their previous seven games away from home in European qualifiers (W3 D2 L2).
- This will be the first meeting between the 13-time champions of Ireland, Dundalk, and the six-time Azerbaijan title winners, Qarabag.
Betting Summary
Dundalk’s record at home in Europe is mightily impressive for a club of their stature, losing just one of their previous eight qualifying matches in Ireland (W2 D5 L1). A couple of seasons ago they thrashed BATE Borisov 3-0 in the home leg, and another equally herculean performance is needed if they are to gain the upper hand here.
Qarabag are arguably better equipped to pick up positive results on their travels though, with their away record back in Azerbaijan (W11 D2 L1 in away league games last season) and in Europe (lost two of previous seven away qualifying matches: W3 D2 L2) both worthy of a huge amount of respect.
At the odds, however, the hosts are worth siding with. Dundalk are clearly in a very good moment and don’t lose very many matches on home soil, irrespective of whether they are facing sides from Ireland or teams from the continent. So to be getting odds of around 8/13 on them avoiding defeat with a passionate home support behind them, feels reasonable.
