The New Saints vs Sabah Baku Preview
The New Saints struggled to threaten at Sabah Baku in the Champions League Qualifier first leg. The Welsh side have lost recent games at home and an away win is the best bet.
Key Stats - TNS Out of Form at Home
- The New Saints have lost 2 of their last 3 home games.
- Sabah Baku have won 7 of their last 12 matches.
H2H
Sabah Baku beat The New Saints 2-0 in the only previous encounter.
The New Saints Look Unconvincing
Craig Harrison’s The New Saints are having a downturn in form after winning once in three games.
The Welsh side underperformed in pre-season and lost 1-1 at Glentoran in their opening friendly. The Saints then edged past semi-professional Northern Irish opponents H&W Welders with a 2-1 comeback win.
TNS lost their Champions League Qualifier first leg 2-0 at Sabah Baku. Harrison’s team had just two shots, 25% possession and conceded twice in the final 30 minutes.
Sabah Baku Are Hard to Beat
Sabah Baku don’t lose many games and are undefeated in 38 of their last 41 matches in all competitions. They have won 26 games in that spell.
The Owls were on a three-match unbeaten run, defeating Turan 2-1 away before 1-1 friendly draws with Craiova and Ferencvaros. That streak ended with a 4-1 defeat against Polissya Zhytomyr.
The Azerbaijani outfit responded with a 2-0 Champions League victory over The New Saints. Sabah Baku had 14 shots, five on target and Veljko Simic and Kaheem Parris scored late on.
Predicted Starting Lineups & Team News
The New Saints (4-3-3): Nathan Shepperd; Daniel Williams, Dynel Simeu, Jack Bodenham, Daniel Redmond; Leo Smith, Dominic Corness, Eoin Farrell; Rhys Hughes, Jordan Williams, Ben Clark
New signing Rhys Hughes is expected to make his home debut against Sabah Baku. The attacker scored 15 goals for Connah's Quay Nomads last season.
Sabah Baku (4-3-3): Stas Pokatilov; Akim Zedadka, Aden McCarthy, Rahman Dashdamirov, Tymoteusz Puchacz; Umarali Rakhmonaliyev, Ivan Lepinjica, Aleksey Isayev; Veljko Simic, Joy-Lance Mickels, Aaron Malouda
Defender Steve Solvet was sent off in the first leg against The New Saints and is suspended here.