Azerbaijan v Ireland predictions: Baku clash could see action at both ends

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Azerbaijan v Ireland in 2022 World Cup qualifying Group A on Saturday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, 5pm Saturday

Best bet

Both teams to score
1pt 6-5 general

Team news

Azerbaijan
Gara Garayev and Toral Bayramov are set to start in midfield while striker Ramil Sheydayev may get the nod up front.

Ireland
Andrew Omobamidele is set to be handed his third start in defence, while Will Keane has received his maiden call-up. Seamus Coleman is out so Matt Doherty should start at right-back.

Match preview

Games involving Ireland have rarely been entertaining of late but with only pride left at stake on their World Cup qualifying trip to Azerbaijan, goals may be on the cards.

The fates of Ireland and Azerbaijan are already sealed with both nations yet to register a win in five attempts, and avoiding the wooden spoon will now be Stephen Kenny's top priority.

The pair played out a drab 1-1 draw at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin last month, when an 87th-minute header from Brighton’s aerial specialist Shane Duffy spared Ireland's blushes.

The Irish created more than enough chances to claim maximum points, having won the shot count 21-10, but a lack of composure in the final third was once again their downfall.

Kenny’s crew were subsequently held to a 1-1 draw in Serbia and they are now without a win in World Cup or European Championship qualification since a 2-0 success at home to Gibraltar in June 2019.

And it is that lack of conviction which makes them tough to back in Baku. Since September 2020, Ireland have drawn twice with Bulgaria, suffered two defeats to Finland and lost at home to Luxembourg.

Azerbaijan are ranked 117th in the world, 67 places below Ireland, but they are an improving side. As well as their battling draw in Dublin, Gianni de Biasi’s side were competitive in 2-1 defeats to Luxembourg and Serbia, while they were beaten only 1-0 in Portugal.

So odds-against quotes about both teams to score in what is a pressure-free fixture may underestimate the chances of an open affair.

Azerbaijan have failed to score only two of their last eight internationals while both teams have notched in four of Ireland’s five qualifiers, which includes trips to Serbia and Portugal.

Key stat

Azerbaijan have netted in eight of their last ten World Cup qualifiers on home soil.

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