Aberdeen v Qarabag: Dons still have hope
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Aberdeen v Qarabag preview and odds
A better pitch should make the second leg a more entertaining spectacle than the first as we pick out some Aberdeen v Qarabag betting tips for the Europa Conference League play-off.
The Dons suffered a 1-0 defeat on a shocking pitch in Baku last week and also had Andy Considine carried off on a stretcher with a serious-looking injury.
A better surface at Pittodrie may not necessarily benefit the hosts but Aberdeen will certainly be out to show what they can do as they bid to reach the group stage.
Match Odds
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack had criticised the Baku pitch on social media on the eve of the fixture, claiming it was “beyond the pale” UEFA had authorised its use.
It soon became apparent the surface was just as bad as Cormack had signalled as big chunks of turf bounced up whenever a player broke stride while the unstable surface possibly played a part in Considine’s knee injury.
In the end having just Jaime Romero’s 30th-minute goal to overturn at Pittodrie was not the worst outcome and Aberdeen are 5/4 favourites to gain revenge by winning the second leg.
HT: #QarabagAberdeen 1️⃣-0️⃣
30' R⚽️MER⚽️ pic.twitter.com/I9F0h81TGO
— Qarabağ FK English (@FKQarabaghEN) August 19, 2021
Stephen Glass’s men have won all three home games this season in all competitions but have only managed one clean sheet in nine matches overall.
That makes a home win and both teams to score a possible option for Aberdeen v Qarabag betting tips at 19/5, although Qarabag’s five games in this competition have produced just five goals.
Under 1.5 goals is available at 15/8 while Qarabag are 19/10 to win the second leg with a draw – which would also send Aberdeen out – at 2/1.
Talking Tactics
Aberdeen will look to make the most of much cooler conditions in north-east Scotland than they faced in Baku.
The half-time introduction of Connor McLennan in place of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas helped them improve in the first leg so he could start.
Reflecting on the second-half display, Glass said: “We took the game to them a bit more, a bit more aggressive and playing higher up the pitch, and almost got our rewards for it.
“I think a narrow defeat is probably reward enough because we were under pressure a bit in the first half.”
Goalscorer Odds
Summer signing Christian Ramirez hit the ground running with four goals in his first four appearances for Aberdeen.
The American has failed to find the net in five outings since then but is still Aberdeen’s best attacking hope and is the 9/2 favourite to score first and 2/1 in the anytime odds.
Romero scored Qarabag’s winner in the first leg and is 12/1 to strike first here or he can be added to Aberdeen v Qarabag betting tips to score anytime at 5/1.
Match Info
Where: Pittodrie
When: 19:45, Thursday 26th August
How to watch: N/A
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
