The second leg of the Champions League playoff between Qarabag FK and Dinamo Zagreb is set to take place in Baku.
With both teams fighting for a spot in the League Phase, Qarabag needs to overcome a three-goal deficit after a challenging first leg in Croatia.
Match Preview
Qarabag FK
Qarabag FK Recent Form
Qarabag FK, the dominant force in Azerbaijani football, has struggled recently both domestically and in the Champions League. After winning their domestic title for three consecutive seasons, they have lost back-to-back matches, including a 1-0 defeat at home to Turan Tovuz in the Azerbaijani Premier League and a 3-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb in the first leg of this playoff.
This marks their first sequence of consecutive losses since October 2023, putting them under pressure to perform in the second leg.
Qarabag FK Injury News
Brazilian midfielder Juninho and creator Yassine Benzia are expected to play pivotal roles for Qarabag in the upcoming match.
The team has not reported any significant injuries affecting their starting lineup, allowing them to field a strong team as they attempt a comeback.
Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb Recent Form
Dinamo Zagreb is in excellent form, having won five consecutive matches across the Croatian HNL and Champions League competitions.
Their recent victories include a 3-0 win over Qarabag in the first leg, where Sandro Kulenovic scored a brace, and a narrow 2-1 victory over HNK Gorica in their domestic league.
The Blues have shown their strength domestically and in Europe, maintaining a 100% record this season.
Dinamo Zagreb Injury News
Dinamo Zagreb will be without right-back Sadegh Moharrami due to a serious cruciate ligament injury suffered in February.
Midfielder Arijan Ademi is also sidelined with a muscle issue, and youngster Mauro Perkovic is recovering from a hamstring strain.
Players To Watch
Qarabag FK Player To Watch: Juninho
Juninho has been a key player for Qarabag, particularly noted for his performance against Ludogorets Razgrad, where he scored the opening goal in a 7-2 victory.
His attacking nous and ability to create chances will be crucial if Qarabag is to overcome the deficit.
Dinamo Zagreb Player To Watch: Sandro Kulenovic
Sandro Kulenovic has been in impressive form, scoring three goals in his last two matches, including a brace against Qarabag in the first leg.
His clinical finishing and ability to exploit defensive weaknesses make him a significant threat to Qarabag's hopes of staging a comeback.
Prediction
Given Qarabag's need to adopt an aggressive approach to overturn the three-goal deficit, this match could be open with plenty of scoring opportunities for both sides.
However, Dinamo Zagreb's solid form and recent results suggest they will likely be able to hold on to their aggregate lead. Our prediction is a 1-1 draw, allowing Dinamo Zagreb to progress with a 4-1 aggregate win.
Dinamo 
Qarabağ 
