Tournament: UEFA Nations League C
Venue: Tofiq Bakhramov Stadium, Baku
Date & Kick-Off Time: 2024.09.05, 12:00
In the first round of the UEFA Nations League C, Azerbaijan will host Sweden in Baku on September 5, 2024. Both teams are aiming to start their Nations League campaigns on a positive note and please their fans.
Key Statistics and Trends
- Azerbaijan: Has lost only 1 of their last 4 matches.
- Sweden: Has lost 3 of their last 4 games, including 3 consecutive away defeats.
- First-Half Performance: Azerbaijan wins the first half in 30% of their matches, while Sweden does so in 27%.
Possible Line-Ups
Azerbaijan:
- Goalkeeper: Mahammadaliyev
- Defenders: Bayramov, Huseynov, Kryvotsiuk, Seydiyev, Jafarguliyev
- Midfielders: Isayev, Mahmudov, Jamalov
- Forwards: Dadashov, Sheydayev
Sweden:
- Goalkeeper: Nordfeldt
- Defenders: Cajuste, Gudmundsson, Hien, Augustinsson
- Midfielders: Olsson, Saletros, Kulusevski, Eliasson, Elanga
- Forward: Isak
Head-to-Head Matches
Sweden has won the first 3 head-to-head encounters with Azerbaijan. However, Azerbaijan secured a 3-0 victory in their last meeting at the Tofiq Bakhramov Stadium in November 2023, indicating that they are capable of upsetting the Swedes at home.
Team Overview and Form
Azerbaijan ("The Land of Fire"):
While Azerbaijan's national team has not achieved significant success in European football, their domestic club Qarabag has built a solid reputation in continental competitions. Azerbaijan managed to gather 7 points in their previous qualification campaign, with most points coming against Estonia. New coach Fernando Santos, the former Portuguese national team coach, will debut in this match, bringing high expectations.
Sweden ("The Scandinavians"):
Sweden had a disappointing World Cup qualification campaign, finishing far behind Belgium and Austria. With Jon Dahl Tomasson taking over as head coach, Sweden has struggled in recent test matches, losing 3 out of 4 games. Several key players, including Quaison, Lindelof, Forsberg, and Thelin, are unavailable, leaving the team relying on the likes of Isak and Kulusevski to lead the attack.
Tactical Analysis and Predictions
- Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan will look to capitalize on their home advantage and defensive resilience. The team will likely adopt a cautious approach, relying on counter-attacks to exploit Sweden's vulnerabilities.
- Sweden: Sweden will attempt to control possession and create opportunities through their attacking midfield, with Isak and Elanga spearheading their offense. However, their recent form and absences could be a cause for concern.
Betting Prediction
Given Sweden's poor form and Azerbaijan’s strong showing at home, Azerbaijan with a +1.0 goal handicap seems a smart betting option, with odds of 1.86. Sweden may find it difficult to break down a defensively solid Azerbaijani team.
Prediction: Azerbaijan to win with a +1.0 goal handicap (odds: 1.86).
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