After recording their first UEFA Champions League (UCL) victory last week, Sabah will welcome 1997 European champions Borussia Dortmund to the Baku Olympic Stadium for this round three encounter.
Match News and Current Form
After opening their maiden voyage in the main draw of a European competition with a heavy defeat, Sabah swiftly made amends with a historic 2-0 victory over Slavia Prague. That result extended Sabah’s perfect winning record in European home games this season to five since the beginning of qualifying, scoring 14 goals in the process while conceding just twice. While that form will certainly offer encouragement, playing against sides from outside of Europe’s traditional big-five leagues presented an easier task than this. Azerbaijani sides in general have won just one of 14 UEFA clashes against sides from the top-five leagues (D3, L10), while conceding three goals per match on average.
Also sitting on three points after two rounds of UCL action, Dortmund will arrive in Azerbaijan after remaining within striking distance of the Bundesliga’s peak following a goalless draw in the league. Yet despite their lofty domestic position, Dortmund have now failed to win each of their last three competitive games, and considering they have lost as many UCL games across their last six (W2, L4) as they had in their 17 such games prior, nothing is certain here. A 100% winning record in all European competitions against Azerbaijani opponents may inspire confidence though, especially seeing as Dortmund have lost just once away from home this season.
Head-to-Head History
This is the first H2H and only the second UCL match between sides from Azerbaijan and Germany. The only prior such encounter saw Qarabag defeat Frankfurt 3-2 in January.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Only one of Sabah’s last eight games saw both teams score.
None of Sabah’s 24 overall UEFA matches ended goalless.
Dortmund have conceded 2+ goals in six of their last seven UCL away games.
Dortmund have attempted fewer than ten shots in five of their last six UCL matches.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Sabah’s Kaheem Parris became just the third Jamaican player to score in the UCL in their victory over Slavia - each of his last four competitive strikes came beyond half-time. Fábio Silva has already scored four competitive goals this season, one more than in the entirety of 2025/26. Five of his seven goals for the club have been the side’s last of the game.
Sabah have no fresh injury concerns, while Dortmund’s Konstantinos Karetsas was withdrawn early with injury at the weekend.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Sabah’s imperious European home form may pale into insignificance as they face their biggest test yet, but backing them to hold their own with a +2 handicap could be a sensible play.
Author: Matthew Billon