The first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League qualification playoff between Ferencvaros (Hungary) and Qarabag (Azerbaijan) will take place on August 19 at the Ferencvaros Stadium in Budapest. Ferencvaros vs. Qarabag: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Ferencvaros
The Hungarians have advanced through two stages in this Champions League campaign. Robbie Keane's side first overcame Noah (2-1, 4-3), and in the last round, they defeated Ludogorets (0-0, 3-0). Notably, against the Bulgarians, the team kept a clean sheet twice, although before that, Ferencvaros had conceded in five consecutive matches in this tournament. The team's unbeaten run in the Champions League stands at five matches (3 wins, 2 draws). The last time the Hungarians reached the main stage of the Champions League was in the 2020/21 season.
- At least one goal has been scored in both halves in 7 of Ferencvaros's last 8 Champions League games.
- The club has conceded at least one goal in 7 of their last 9 home matches in the Champions League.
- The team has not lost in 7 of their last 8 matches in this tournament (5 wins, 2 draws).
Predicted lineup for Ferencvaros (3-5-2)
Denes Dibusz – Gabor Szalai, Stefan Gartenmann, Toon Raemekers – Callum O'Dowda, Chebrail Makreckis, Bence Etvos, Alex Toth, Gavriel Kanikovski – Barnabas Varga, Lenny Joseph.
Qarabag
The Azerbaijanis have also passed through two stages in the 2025/26 Champions League. In the 2nd qualifying round, the Agdam side defeated Shelbourne (3-0, 1-0), and in the previous stage, Gurban Gurbanov's team overcame Shkendija (1-0, 5-1). The goal conceded from the Macedonians was the team's first in this tournament. It's worth noting that Qarabag had never won four consecutive matches in the Champions League before. The club has only played in the group stage of the Champions League once, during the 2017/18 season.
- The team has not drawn in 10 consecutive Champions League matches (7 wins, 3 losses).
- The club has scored at least two goals in 5 of their last 7 away games in this tournament.
- Qarabag has won 4 of their last 5 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Qarabag (4-5-1)
Mateusz Kochalski – Behlul Mustafazade, Kevin Medina, Mateus Silva, Elvin Jafarguliyev – Abdellah Zoubir, Kady, Leandro Andrade, Pedro Bicalho, Marko Jankovic – Nariman Akhundzade.
Referee
João Pinheiro (Portugal)
Matches – 16 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 48;
Average yellow cards per match – 3;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 25%.
Match Prediction: Ferencvaros vs. Qarabag
The Hungarians managed to hold off Ludogorets in the last stage, but solid defensive play is generally not characteristic of the team. In the 2nd qualifying round, Robbie Keane's side conceded 4 goals against Noah, who only scored once against their next opponent from Gibraltar on the international stage. Even at home, Ferencvaros has kept a clean sheet in only two of their last nine Champions League matches, and in 5 of those games, they conceded at least two goals.
Gurban Gurbanov's team has gained good momentum. The Azerbaijanis have already scored 11 times in this tournament, with the victory over Shkendija in the second leg being one of the team's largest wins in the Champions League. Qarabag is not shy about attacking even away from home: the club has scored in 9 of their last 10 Champions League matches. Moreover, in six of those games, the Agdam side has scored at least two goals.
My prediction: Qarabag Individual Total Over 0.5
