Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Shelbourne
Match Time & Date:
23 July 2025
19:45
Prediction: 1-1
Qarabag
Tolka Park will be packed when Shelbourne and Qarabag go head to head in the Champions League 2nd qualifying round, first leg. The Reds faced no difficulties in the double-header with Linfield, but they will have a mountain to climb against Qarabag. Both Mark Coyle (midfielder) and Conor Kearns (goalkeeper) limped off with injuries in the 1-1 draw with Linfield, with duo Sean Gannon (defender) – Lorcan Healy (goalkeeper) being ready to step up.
The Azerbaijan champions, on the other hand, were struggling in preseason, with the team suffering defeats to the likes of Metalist 1925, Twente, and Salzburg, while beating aforementioned Twente. With Shelbourne being tough to beat in Republic of Ireland, we predict that the two sides are going to share the spoils in the first leg. A man to watch in the away team will be Azerbaijan Premier League top scorer Leandro Andrade.
Highlighted Team (Qarabag):
Over the years Qarabag have established themselves as one of the best teams in Azerbaijan. The club was founded in 1951 and they were playing under the name of Mehsul back then. Qarabag won their first trophy in the national championship in 1993, beating Khazar Sumgayit in the title game.
In the 2015/2016 season they won their fourth domestic trophy, with the team finishing the season 22 points clear of second-placed Zira. Qarabag participated in the 2016/2017 Champions League qualifiers, but they were more than unfortunate to suffer a loss to Viktoria Plzen in the two-legged tie. The Azerbaijan outfit were beaten by the Czechs on away goal rule and, as a result, they made it to the Europa League playoffs.
Thanks to a win over Goteborg in the double-header Qarabag made it to the knockout stages of the competition. The Horsemen play their home games at Azersun Arena and their home colours are black. Qarabag play their away games in white kits.
Rangers
Panathinaikos
Brann
Salzburg
Ostrava
Legia
Sheriff Tiraspol
Utrecht
Levski Sofia
Braga
Midtjylland
Hibernian
