Athletic Bilbao welcome Qarabag to the Estadio San Mames for a match-day three fixture in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. The Spaniards are still seeking their first win in the competition, while the visitors are aiming to maintain their perfect start.
Athletic Bilbao have endured a difficult start to the Champions League, having lost their opening two matches. Ernesto Valverde's men were beaten 2-0 at home by Arsenal in their opening fixture and followed that up with a 4-1 thrashing at Borussia Dortmund last time out.
The struggles are not limited to the Champions League as Athletic Bilbao are winless in eight of their last nine matches, playing out a 0-0 draw at Elche last weekend. They are also winless in four of their last five home matches, but claimed a 2-1 victory over Mallorca in their previous fixture in front of their fans.
Qarabag have been the surprise team of the Champions League this season, winning their opening two matches in the league phase. A 3-2 victory at Benfica set the tone for their campaign, and they followed that up with a 2-0 home win over Copenhagen.
The Azerbaijani side's overall form has been solid lately and they are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions. Qurban Qurbanov’s men have also won their last seven away matches, including a 2-1 victory at Turan Tovuz in a domestic clash last weekend.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Bilbao
Despite their struggles this season, Athletic Bilbao have been installed as overwhelming favourites by the bookies, with BoyleSports offering 2/7 for a home win. A victory for Qarabag is valued at 9/,1 while a draw is set at odds of 4/1.
Head to head: No previous meeting
This will be the first-ever clash between Athletic Bilbao and Qarabag.
Players to watch: Eyes on Williams
Inaki Williams opened the scoring for Athletic Bilbao in their last home fixture and could be the one to watch on Wednesday. The forward will be keen to go on a scoring run (Inaki Williams anytime goalscorer – valued at 13/8 by BoyleSports).
Leandro Andrade has found the net four times across all competitions for Qarabag and could be worth keeping an eye on. The forward is likely to carry the attacking threat on Wednesday (Leandro Andrade anytime goalscorer – offered at odds of 6/1).
Probable line-ups:
Athletic Bilbao are without Benat Prados Diaz and Unai Egiluz due to injury. Nico and Inaki Williams were second-half substitutes at Elche last weekend and could start on Wednesday, while Dani Vivian is set to continue at the back.
Jonathan Montiel is the major injury absentee for Qarabag, with the midfielder sidelined with a thigh problem. Andrade should retain his place in the team while Kevin Medina is expected to start at the heart of the defence.
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Berchiche, Laporte, Vivian, Areso, Rego Jauregizar, Berenguer, Sancet, Williams, Williams.
Qarabag: Kochalski, Matheus Silva, Mustafazada, Medina, Cafarquliyev, Kady Borges, Pedro Bicalho, Andrade, Kashchuk, Duran, Zoubir.
Anything else catch the eye?
Qarabag have scored in their last seven away matches (Qarabag over 0.5 goals – offered at 4/5 by BoyleSports). Both teams have scored in Athletic Bilbao’s last two home matches (BTTS YES – priced at odds of 10/11).
Three of Athletic Bilbao's last four matches have produced more goals after the break (Second half most goals – available at 20/21).
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