ABERDEEN have a chance to make the group stages of European competition for the first time in 14 years if they can overturn a one goal deficit against Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag.
Last week's Europa Conference League first leg play-off in Baku was almost completely spoiled by a farce of a pitch. You would have got old black ash pitches in Scotland in better nick than the playing surface for a match where there is a potential £3 million bounty at stake for qualifying.
While it was difficult to read too much into the game, it was hard to escape the conclusion that the Dons won't have a better chance against a team who looked bang average.
They deservedly took the lead in the first half, but the Dons pinned them back after the break and could easily have snatched a draw had Christian Ramirez taken a late chance.
Of course, it may very well be that Qarabag hated the pitch as much as Aberdeen and they too may be more suited to Pittodrie's lush surface in comparison.
But with a sell-out crowd approaching and the old ground rocking, there should be absolutely no excuse for Stephen Glass' side. It's all there for them.
How the bookies view it
With home advantage, Aberdeen are 5/4 favourites with Unibet. Qarabag can be backed at 23/10 with the same firm and the draw is 11/5 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
The sides met for the first time last week in the heat and humidity of Baku and Qarabag's first half goal was enough to give them a 1-0 advantage to take to the north east of Scotland. Here's the highlights on a ploughed field masquerading as a football pitch…
Players to watch
Christian Ramirez has gone slightly off the ball somewhat after starting his Dons career with four goals in four games. Hes gone five games without scoring, but he'll come good and will be a popular choice to score once the prices go up.
Jaime Romero hit perhaps the only moment of qualify last week with a composed, tidy finish that fooled Joe Lewis at his near post. The Spanish striker was once on the books of Real Madrid and a host of La Liga clubs and could be a real danger.
Anything else catch the eye?
The Dons will go for this from the start and they've actually been impressive in their two home European games so far. With the away goal rule scrapped, there's no reason to be cautious, which is probably just as well because they are down to the bare bones in central defence as it is, which means there should be goals. Try 6/4 for bet365's both teams to score and over 2.5 goals.
Stephen Glass' side have only played three home games this season and won them all. They've been leading at half time in two of them and the 2/1 for them to be ahead at the break from bet365 is very backable too.
This UEFA Europa League Conference match between Aberdeen and Qarabag will be played on Aug 26, 2021 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Aberdeen vs Qarabag prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
