Unwanted history beckons for Viking here, so the visit of a Sabah Baku side who have endured similar struggles in this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) could prove timely.
Match News and Current Form
Viking’s first-ever group/league phase appearance in the UCL hasn’t particularly gone to plan so far, with the Norwegian side picking up just a point from their opening three games, albeit that came in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Bayern. All three matches coming against sides from Europe’s top-five European leagues hint at a baptism of fire for Viking, but conceding three goals in each of those outings leaves them on the brink of becoming just the second team in UCL history to concede 3+ goals in each of their opening four matches in the competition proper. The omens appear fairly bleak here as, of the sides to have played 15+ games in the main draw of the European Cup/UCL, Viking’s 80% loss rate is the highest (W1, D2, L12), while they tasted defeat at the weekend too when going down 3-2 in a huge top-of-the-table clash against fellow UCL competitors Bodø/Glimt.
A 2-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the last UCL round sparked a three-match winless run for Sabah (D1, L2), who missed the chance to assert their authority on the Azerbaijan Premier League title race over the weekend when they lost 3-2 against Turan. They do at least have a UCL win to their name this season after beating Slavia Prague 2-0 on matchday two, but adding to that tally on the road seems a tall order for a side who’ve lost their last three European away games. Their last 15 European matches have produced a winner though (W9, L6), so this game does at least look likely to be decided one way or another.
Head-to-Head History
These sides have never met before and this will be the first-ever main draw European Cup/UCL meeting between Azerbaijani and Norwegian opposition. None of the three prior meetings between sides from these nations in major European competition were won by Norwegian sides (D1, L2).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Only three teams have had fewer shots than Viking (27) after three UCL league phase rounds.
Viking have scored in a club-record 11 successive European matches.
Six of Sabah’s last eight away games produced over 2.5 goals.
Sabah lost the corner count in all three league phase games this term.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
The in-form Kristoffer Haugen could be Viking’s best route to success here having contributed to six goals in as many appearances for the club (G3, A3) - his last four goals came before half-time. Joy-Lance Mickels was on target at the weekend for Sabah, and in their sole league phase win, but his last three goals arriving on or beyond the 70-minute mark suggests they may have to be patient here.
Neither side appears to have any fresh concerns for this game.
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Betting Analysis
Viking can point to a tough start as to why they await their first victory, but a simpler assignment on paper and home advantage suggest a home win could be the best pick here.
Author: Chris Wilson