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

Hosts Qarabag FK will qualify for the Champions League league phase if they hold onto their 3-1 lead against Ferencvaros on Wednesday at Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium.

The home side triumphed on August 19 despite initially trailing 1-0 after 29 minutes, but three second-half goals have put the Hungarian visitors on the brink of elimination from the final qualifying stage.

Match preview

Qarabag only produced one open-play shot from inside the box in the first half in the first leg, and they generated just two shots from open play inside the penalty area in the second half, with Musa Gurbanly and Marko Jankovic both scoring from distance.

The Azerbaijanian hosts began their league season on August 22, losing 1-0 against Sumqayit, though it was just the first time in 16 competitive outings that they had failed to score.

Atlilar were eliminated in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League in 2024-25 in the second round, and they instead participated in the league phase of the Europa League before they were knocked out in the round of 16.

Manager Qurban Qurbanov had overseen five victories this term prior to their loss in the league, with all of those wins coming in their Champions League qualifiers, and they kept three clean sheets in that time.

The hosts' loss against Sumqayit was also the first time in their three home matches of 2025-26 that they did not win, but they did triumph in their final seven outings at Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium in 2024-25.

Ferencvaros were untroubled for large periods in the first leg, but to concede three times despite only facing 0.77 xG will be of immense disappointment to boss Robbie Keane.

Keane's side have won by two or more goals twice in their last four fixtures, including beating Ludogorets 3-0 in the second leg of the third round Champions League qualifying tie on August 12.

The visitors had faced Qarabag three times before they were defeated in the first leg, though they were winless in those games, settling for stalemates on two occasions.

Fradi are fourth in their league with seven points after four matchweeks, and they head to Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium having lost their past two matches in all competitions, but they did win five and draw two of their previous seven outings.

Ferencvaros' away record is excellent considering they are undefeated in their 11 most recent games on the road - they triumphed eight times - but they only won two matches by two or more goals.

Qarabag FK Champions League form:

Qarabag FK form (all competitions):

Ferencvaros Champions League form:

Ferencvaros form (all competitions):

Team News

Qarabag are sure to name a similar XI to the one that won the first leg, with Bahlul Mustafazada and Kevin Medina set to retain their places in the middle of a back four.

Pedro Bicalho and Marko Jankovic helped support attacking midfielder Kady Borges in their first-leg victory, and the trio must be at their best on Wednesday.

Despite coming off in that game as a result of an injury, striker Nariman Akhundzade was fit enough to be on the bench against Sumqayit, and he is certain to be risked in the second leg.

Ferencvaros will have to avoid playing recklessly if they are to progress, so they are likely to line up with regular strikers Barnabas Varga and Lenny Joseph before bringing on more offensive players in the second half.

The visitors may start a midfield three consisting of Alex Toth, Bence Otvos and Gabi Kanichowsky, and the trio could play ahead of defenders Gabor Szalai, Toon Raemaekers and Stefan Gartenmann.

Qarabag FK possible starting lineup:

Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazada, Medina, Cafarquliyev; Bicalho, Jankovic; Andrade, Borges, Zoubir; Akhundzade

Ferencvaros possible starting lineup:

Dibusz; Gartenmann, Raemaekers, Szalai; Makreckis, Toth, Otvos, Kanichowsky, O'Dowda; Varga, Joseph