The first match of the 3rd qualifying round of the 2025/26 Champions League between Shkendija (North Macedonia) and Qarabag (Azerbaijan) will take place on August 5 at the Tose Proeski Stadium in Skopje. Shkendija vs. Qarabag: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Shkendija
The Macedonians have already progressed through two qualification rounds. In the 1st stage, Jeton Bekjiri's team struggled against Welsh side New Saints (0-0, 1-1, extra time 1-0). It was expected that they would be eliminated in the 2nd qualifying round, but they surprisingly defeated FCSB, winning both matches 1-0 and 2-1. Notably, reaching the 3rd qualifying stage is Shkendija's best achievement in this tournament so far.
- The Balkans have not lost in regular time in their last 4 Champions League matches (2 wins and 2 draws).
- At least one team failed to score in 11 of Shkendija's last 14 games in this European competition.
- The Macedonians have not scored more than one goal in regular time in their last 6 home Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Shkendija (4-2-3-1)
Baboucarr Gaye – Alexander Trumchi, Ronaldo Webster, Imiran Fetai, Klisman Caki – Adamu Alhassan, Reshat Ramadani – Endrit Krasniki, Fabrice Tamba, Liridon Latifi – Besart Ibraimi.
Qarabag
This year, Gurban Gurbanov's side has started their European campaign successfully, winning both matches against Shelbourne. The team settled the outcome of the contest in the first game in Ireland, defeating their opponent 3-0. At home, Qarabag played for the result and beat the opponent with a minimal advantage of 1-0. So far in this Champions League campaign, the team has not conceded a single goal.
- Qarabag's uncompromising run in the Champions League includes 8 matches – 6 wins and 2 losses in regular time.
- At least one team failed to score in 6 of Qarabag's last 8 matches in this tournament.
- Three or more goals were scored in 8 of Qarabag's last 9 away matches in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Qarabag (4-4-2)
Mateusz Kochalski – Behlul Mustafazade, Kevin Medina, Mateus Silva, Elvin Jafarguliyev – Abdellah Zoubir, Kady, Leandro Andrade, Pedro Bicalho – Nariman Ahundzade, Emmanuel Addai.
Referee
Ivan Kruzliak (Slovakia)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 44;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 20%.
Shkendija vs. Qarabag: Match Prediction
Based on their ranking, the Balkan club is the weakest among all the teams that advanced to the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League. For the Macedonians, reaching this stage is already a significant achievement. Progressing further in the tournament seems unlikely, as the Azerbaijanis are much stronger and more experienced. Moreover, even on their home turf, Shkendija has not impressed in Champions League qualifiers, with just 1 win in their last 5 matches, and they have not scored more than 1 goal in this span.
The Caucasians should settle the outcome of this tie in the first match. Qarabag aims to reach the main stage of the Champions League, having not played there since 2017. I believe Gurban Gurbanov's team can advance past the Macedonians primarily through strong attacking play, as they have scored at least two goals in 5 of their last 6 away Champions League matches.
My prediction – Qarabag to win and Individual Total Over 1.5 goals
