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Kick off: Thursday, 22.10.2015. @17:00
Venue: Bakcell Arena
Head to head record
No past meetings
Qabala vs Borussia Dortmund prediction
Borussia Dortmund will be looking to return to winning ways in Group C when they take on Qabala at Bakcell Arena on Thursday evening. The Millionaires aim to cement top position in their group, but the hosts will surely give 100% to record their first win of the 2015/2021 Europa League campaign.
Slow start
Qabala have been impressive in the Premyer Liqa of Azerbaijan of late. Roman Grigorchuk’s men are on a four-game winning run in the national championship at the moment and they are surely brimming with confidence ahead of Thursday’s encounter against Borussia Dortmund. The Azerbaijanis have yet to record a win in Group C and, no doubt, they will leave their hearts on the field this time out in order to grab something from the Borussia clash. Qabala, though, have netted no more than one goal in the process and I am not sure if they are capable of upsetting the Bundesliga side at their Bakcell Arena. Ukrainian footballer Olexiy Gai has been in a fine form of late and he will be the man to watch in the home team. It has to be noted that Qabala managed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last five home fixtures in the Europa League.
Coach Roman Grigorchuk is unlikely to make too many changes to the team that suffered a 2-1 loss to Krasnodar. Estonian striker Zenjov is likely to keep his place up front.
Can anyone stop Aubameyang?
Borussia Dortmund failed to impress against Krasnodar in the opening match of their Europa League campaign, but thanks to Joo-Ho Park’s late goal the Bundesliga side eventually defeated the Russian team. The Millionaires have been producing very good performances under new boss Thomas Tuchel and they are sitting in second place in the Bundesliga standings after nine rounds. Borussia outplayed Mainz in the national championship at the weekend and they will be looking to move one step closer to booking their place in the Europa League knockout stages with a win over Qabala in Baku. Patrick Aubameyang has been in a brilliant form this season. The Gabon international has netted 10 goals in nine Bundesliga matches this term and he will surely pose a big threat for the hosts. The bad news for the fans is that Henrikh Mkhitaryan decided not to travel to Baku due to political tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the former Shakhtar Donetsk man will be sorely missed in Thursday’s clash against Qabala. Marco Reus is available for selection and the German superstar and he will be one of the men to watch in the away team.
Erik Durm and Nuri Sahin remain in the recovery room, but Marcel Schmelzer should recover in time to face Qabala. Aforementioned midfielder Mkhitaryan is yet another absentee in the away side.
Qabala vs Borussia Dortmund betting tip
Borussia Dortmund dropped two points in a 1-1 draw with PAOK and the Bundesliga side surely want to start a new winning run in the Europa League. As I have already mentioned, Qabala are tough to beat at home ground, but they will have a big fish to fry in Thursday’s clash against the Millionaires. Thomas Tuchel’s men are superior to the Azerbaijani side and I am tempted to put my money on the visitors this time out.
Tip: Dortmund/Dortmund
Odds: 1.70 (7/10) at Unibet
