Preview: Ferencvaros vs Qarabag FK - prediction, team news, lineups

After reaching the final stage of Champions League qualifying, Ferencvaros meet Qarabag FK on Tuesday evening, for the first leg of their high-stakes playoff.

The glittering reward of a league-phase place is now within reach for both sides, who will battle it out in Budapest and Baku.

Match preview

Following an eventful 6-4 aggregate win in round two, where they knocked out ambitious Armenian club FC Noah, Ferencvaros settled for a goalless away draw in the first leg of their third round tie against Ludogorets.

Then, back in Budapest, the Hungarian giants put on a clinical performance, with Barnabas Varga scoring twice in a 3-0 win that eased them through to the playoffs.

Ahead of this week's opening leg at Groupama Arena, Robbie Keane's side have won both of their European games on home soil so far - but they did slip up there last weekend.

Ending their unbeaten domestic record after four rounds, Fradi were beaten 2-1 at home by Puskas Akademia on Sunday, losing to the team that pushed them all the way in last season's league campaign.

Crowned Hungarian champions for a 36th time in May, Ferencvaros last reached the Champions League proper five years ago, so Keane's task is not only to defend the title but also reach Europe's top table.

Meanwhile, Qarabag's last group participation in the group or league phase was back in 2017, though they came close again five years later.

That summer, they beat Ferencvaros 4-2 in the third qualifying round and progressed to the playoffs - these clubs' only competitive meetings to date.

This year, Qarabag kicked off their campaign by ruthlessly dumping out Irish champions Shelbourne, before winning both legs again in round three.

The Azeri side swept past Shkendija 6-1 on aggregate, following up a 1-0 away win with a 5-1 victory in the return.

Having had Sunday's league opener postponed to aid their Champions League chances, the Horsemen now head into the playoffs for a third time in four seasons, hoping to make the final leap.

Ferencvaros Champions League form: W W D W

Ferencvaros form (all competitions): W W D W W L

Qarabag FK Champions League form: W W W W

Team News

After Robbie Keane made 10 changes at the weekend, clearly prioritising Champions League qualification, his Ferencvaros XI should look more familiar on Tuesday.

Ibrahim Cisse could be involved, having served a continental suspension against Ludogorets, and he will compete with Toon Raemaekers, Gabor Szalai and Stefan Gartenmann to start in a three-man defence.

Barnabas Varga is set to spearhead the hosts' attack, with four goals already under his belt in European competition this season.

Meanwhile, with two goals apiece, Cape Verde winger Leandro Andrade and Azerbaijan international Nariman Akhundzada are Qarabag's leading scorers in qualifying so far.

Former Ferencvaros player Kady also features in the final third, having left Hungary earlier this year after a brief and unsuccessful spell.

Head coach Qurban Qurbanov will be without reserve goalkeeper Amin Ramazanov, who is sidelined by an ACL injury, but should otherwise have a full squad.

Ferencvaros possible starting lineup: Dibusz; Gartenmann, Szalai, Cisse; Makreckis, Otvos, Kanichowsky, Toth, O'Dowda; Joseph, Varga

Qarabag FK possible starting lineup: Kochalski; Silva, Medina, Mustafazada, Bayramov; Bicalho, Jankovic; Andrade, Kady, Zoubir; Akhundzade