Our prediction for this Champions League match:
A place in the Champions League third qualifying round will be at stake when Rakow and Qarabag square off against each other in a highly-anticipated double-header. Rakow faced no difficulties in the two-legged tie against Estonian champions Flora, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against Qarabag. A man to keep an eye on in the home team will be Lukasz Zwolinski, who scored a brace in the season opener against Jagiellonia (3-0).
The visitors, on the other hand, rolled over Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar 6-1 on aggregate to set up a meeting with Rakow in round 2. The opposition back-line should have Albania striker Redon Xhixha at bay as the 25-year-old has been scoring goals for fun of late. Anyhow, the share of spoils is on the cards at Miejski Stadion Pilkarski Rakow as the two teams seem to be evenly matched at the moment.
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.