Athletic Bilbao vs Qarabag Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
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Athletic Club head into what is perhaps a must win European tie this midweek with the visit of Azeri champions Qarabag to San Mames in the Basque Country.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Athletic Bilbao preview: Need for brilliance in Bilbao
Athletic Club come into this one on the back of a goalless draw with a newly-promoted Elche side that have been impressive at the start of this season, continuing what has been a mixed and inconsistent start to the campaign for the home team.
Ernesto Valverde and his Basque outfit started their UEFA Champions League league phase campaign with a 2-0 defeat at home to Arsenal last month before a 4-1 hammering at the hands of Borussia Dortmund a few weeks ago.
Qarabag preview: Surprise package Qarabag
The dominant force of Azeri football, Qarabag, have been really impressive over recent seasons and steadily progressing on the continent – and it has been a brilliant start to their UEFA Champions League season under Gurban Gurbanov.
The Horsemen, as they are nicknamed, began their league phase with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Benfica at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon before then comfortably defeating Copenhagen by two goals to nil at the Tafiq Bahramov Stadium.
Athletic Bilbao team news: Laporte a doubt
Spain international centre-back Aymeric Laporte has returned to the Basque Country but he is now a key doubt for this one due to an ankle issue so Dani Vivian is expected to partner Aitor Paredes in the back-line.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Simon; Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta; I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams; Guruzeta
Unavailable:
Questionable: Laporte (Injured)
Qarabag team news: Fully fit
Qarabag head to the north of Spain with a fully fit and available squad with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues and so they can name an unchanged eleven.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kochalski; Silva, Mustafadze, Medina, Jafarguliyev; Bicalho, Kady, Andrade; Kashchuk, Zoubir, Duran
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao vs Qarabag prediction
Athletic Club have been one of the strongest teams in Spain for the last few years since the return of former Barca boss Valverde to Bilbao. They are expected to come out on top here, too, especially with their home advantage, but the front foot style of football of Qarabag and their form in their opening two matches would mean they have to believe they can cause problems to the hosts this weekend.
Athletic Bilbao vs Qarabag Tip: Athletic Bilbao to win & both teams to score
