Azerbaijan vs Northern Ireland - World Cup Qualification Europe Preview and Odds

Published on: 08/06/2017

Azerbaijan vs Northern Ireland - World Cup Qualification Europe Preview and Odds

June 10, 2017 17:00pm - Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium

World Cup Qualification - Group C

After a bright start to their campaign, which included a 1-0 win over Norway and a goalless draw with the Czech Republic, Azerbaijan then slumped to back-to-back defeats away to Northern Ireland (4-0) and at home to World Champions Germany (1-4). However, they remain just three points adrift of second place in Group C and must therefore be considered as contenders for the play-offs.

A win against Northern Ireland on home soil would certainly give them a massive boost and would put them level on points with the team from the UK. To achieve this, they will need to rediscover the defensive prowess that they showed earlier in the campaign when they went three games without conceding. Since then, they have conceded eight goals in two games and at times have looked in disarray.

Meanwhile, opponents Northern Ireland arrive in the Baku having won three, drawn one and lost one of their Group C matches and are remain on course to finish runners-up behind pace-setters Germany. However, defeat on Saturday could make their task a lot more difficult with just three points currently separating them from the fourth-ranked team.

Having already faced both San Marino and Azerbaijan on home soil, it could be argued that they have already played their easiest fixtures. Both of those matches finished 4-0 to the hosts.

Away from home, they have won just one of their last 17 World Cup qualifying matches and that solitary win came back in 2009 in San Marino (3-0). The good news is that they have only conceded two goals in the campaign, having netted 10 times themselves.

Recent form (All competitions)

Azerbaijan: LWLDW

Northern Ireland: WWLWL

Betting odds and tips

Northern Ireland will start as favourites but their historical away form raises question marks about their ability to win here. A better option might be to look at the Under 2.5 Goals market where 17 of Norther Irelands last 19 games have paid out.

You can back Under 2.5 Goals at 4/9 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris