Karabakh vs. Rakow: Preview and betting tips

Perhaps the most interesting pairing of the second round of the Champions League. Last year both teams fell to the Czechs in the preliminary rounds, this time the winner will secure at least the Conference League group. What to expect from the rematch between Karabakh and Rakow?

Raków withstood their first proper European crisis in front of their own fans, as their opponents equalised from 0:2 to 2:2. Still, they managed to win, postponed their weekend league match and are ready to succeed in Azerbaijan.

Karabakh have not started the league season yet, but in any case they went over Gibraltar’s Lincoln 6: 1 in the first preliminary round. But Rakow was already a different level, the goals scored could have been more than just three.

Raków’s key figures

In the absence of mainstay Ivi Lopes, playmaker Lukasz Zwolinski is taking care of the goals, the Gdansk reinforcement has already netted four goals. Vladyslav Kochergin operates in the midfield, the Ukrainian midfielder has scored once so far.

Karabakh’s key figures

The visitors have been successful in their winter purchase of Redon Xhixhy, the Albanian international winger has already scored four times in qualifying. Frenchman Abdellah Zoubir, author of one goal and two assists, is a threat from the left.

What to expect and what to bet on?

Raków are unbeaten since the preparation, only falling to Legia Warsaw on penalties in the Polish Super Cup. Since the end of last season, only Slavia have beaten them in preparation, and in the league last season they fell in 34 rounds on only four occasions.

Karabakh, on the other hand, has struggled. Leaving aside the double-header with semi-professionals Lincoln, it has won only two of its past six games, conceding an average of 1.83 goals per game.

Given Karabakh’s poor form, especially its defensive performance, and Rakow’s performance in the first game, I think Rakow will not lose even without Lopes and will advance in regulation time.