- IF Vestri are in mixed form, picking up 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat in their last 5.
- FK Qarabag are flying, picking up 4 wins and 1 draw in their last 5.
Qarabag can quash any Vestri hope
Qarabag are the clear favourites here at 1.18 and the draw is available at 7.2, so there's only one bet to make and that's a Qarabag away win.
This tie has been made effectively over by the Azeri outfit's 3-0 victory in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 last week and the fact that they travel to Iceland having won four straight games, and are unbeaten in their last five (W4, D1), suggests they can make it two wins from two.
David Smari Lamude has done a good job of keeping IF Vestri competitive in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 since taking charge on 1 January 2023. His team are set up in a compact 4-4-1-1 system, sit deep and have tried to frustrate Qarabag and then look to nick counters, win second balls and be a threat from set pieces.
This is a clash of styles if ever there was one as Qurbanov's team play a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 hybrid system, which includes a high-tempo press and quick vertical attacks. The full-backs provide width in a system which has scored plenty of goals and has real bite in the final third.
Qurban Qurbanov has had a long time in charge of FK Qarabag, taking over on 1 July 2008, and his experienced staff have created a seasoned outfit in European competition. Zoubir is the danger man for this team after notching 1 goal in 1 game in this competition, but they look well-oiled at the moment.
The visitors have won 2 and drawn 1 in their last 3 away from home, comfortably cruising past WSG Tirol 4-0 in the 2nd qualifying round, prior to beating FK Sumgayit 4-3.
Vestri drew 1-1 with Throttur Reykjavik, 0-0 with UMF Grindavik and were then beaten 3-0 by Qarabag, the last result halting their momentum. Vestri have won 3 and lost 1 on home soil in all current competitions (0 draws), so they are more than capable of making life awkward for their visitors on Thursday.
Breki Hermannsson, Vestri's spark, has netted 2 of the Icelandic minnows' 6 goals in their last 5 games and if he can nick one from a counter or set-piece, then they'll fancy their chances.
But a Qarabag win to nil seems to suit the match-up, as they have a pressing edge, the psychological blow of the 3-0 head-to-head and the confidence of 4 straight wins behind them.
