- Vestri have a good solid record at home in all competitions (W3, D0, L1). Qarabag have a strong away record in all competitions (W3, D2, L1). The favourites have the psychological edge after winning the first leg of the tie 3-0.
Vestri and Qarabag look a class apart
The visitors are in fantastic form at the moment and are expected to take a solid advantage back to Azerbaijan with them. Qarabag are undefeated in their last 5 matches (W4, D1) and have won 4 consecutive games heading into Thursday's clash at Torfnesvoellur. Qurbanov's men have won 2 and drawn 1 of their last 3 away matches, and they've put away WSG Tirol 4-0 and beat FK Sumgayit 4-3 in their most recent away trips.
In stark contrast, IF Vestri have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 5 games, and they have dropped off the pace after drawing 1-1 with Throttur Reykjavik, 0-0 with UMF Grindavik and losing 0-3 to Qarabag. David Smari Lamude has done a solid job since taking over as head coach on 1st January 2023, and his team have stayed in matches by structuring up and being disciplined.
There will no doubt be a clash of styles here, with Qarabag setting the pace and Vestri trying to control the tempo. The visitors will dominate possession and territory, while Vestri will look to keep it compact, defend deep and hit on the break, second balls and set pieces.
Qarabag are a step above Vestri
The favourites can be backed at 9/50, which is a bit of a turn off, as is the odds against draw at 31/5. But there should be no shock here and the likely result is a Qarabag win. Qurbanov has been in charge of the club since 1st July 2008 and his experience and knowledge of European football has been a factor in this side's progress.
Vestri are a useful team in their own division, but they are out of their depth in this competition and were outclassed by Qarabag in the first meeting. There is no value in anything other than a Qarabag success, and there is enough of it for us to take the Azerbaijanis to win without conceding.
Qurban Qurbanov's side have a 6-2-2 record in their last 10 in all competitions, while Vestri have gone 4-2-4 in the same period. The hosts have been scoring 2.50 goals per game and conceding 1.50 at home in all competitions, so a Qarabag victory to nil fits the setup.
Abdellah Zoubir is a danger man for the away side, having already scored 1 goal in 1 UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 match, and Qarabag have that little bit extra in terms of attacking quality and a cutting edge in the final third.
Breki Hermannsson has been Vestri's spark in this campaign, notching 2 of their 6 goals in their last 5. He is a big boy that can be a real handful for opposition defenders, and if Vestri can nick a goal from a counter or set piece, they will have a fighting chance.
