Azerbaijan host Austria at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium this Monday in matchday eight of the UEFA Euros Qualifiers. Despite Austria looking likely to qualify, Azerbaijan are unlikely to challenge for qualification but could have a hand in whether Austria finishes top or second.
Azerbaijan currently sit fourth in Group F after five games. With one win, one draw and three losses, Azerbaijan have just four points, which leaves them nine points behind the last qualification spot.
In their last five games in all competitions, Azerbaijan have two wins, one draw and two losses. Azerbaijan had a poor showing against Sweden in March with just one shot on target as Emil Forsberg, Viktor Gyokeres, Jesper Karlsson and Anthony Elanga all scored as well as an own goal from Bahlul Mustafazada gave Sweden the 5 - 0 win. However, Azerbaijan bounced back against Estonia. Rauno Sappinen opened the scoring for Estonia in the first half, but an equaliser from Anton Kryvotsyuk meant the game finished in a 1 - 1 draw.
When facing top of the group Belgium, Azerbaijan put up a good fight. With four shots on target to Belgium’s six shots on target, Yannick Carrasco scored the only goal of the game for a 1 - 0 win for Belgium. Azerbaijan grabbed a win in a friendly against Jordan. Emin Mahmudov and Renat Dadashov both scored in the 2 - 1 win for Azerbaijan.
The last time out for Azerbaijan was against Estonia. Toral Bayramov opened the scoring early on and Ramil Sheydayev converted a penalty in the 2 - 0 win for Azerbaijan.
Austria currently sit second in Group F after six games. Four wins, one draw and one loss leaves them with 13 points, three points off top of the group.
In their last five games in all competitions, Austria have two wins, two draws and one loss. The first meeting with Belgium ended in a 1 - 1 draw with Michael Gregoritsch opening the scoring for Austria but Romelu Lukaku equalised in the second half. Austria then grabbed a win against Sweden next time out. Christoph Baumgartner grabbed a brace late in the game to give Austria the dominant 2 - 0 win that saw Austria register 21 shots in comparison to Sweden’s four shots.
Austria then slumped to a draw with Moldova in an international friendly. Vitalie Damascan scored within three minutes for Moldova, but Gregoritsch scored early in the second half as the game finished 1 - 1. However, Austria bounced back against Sweden. Gregoritsch scored once again along with a goal and penalty from Marko Aranautovic gave Austria a 3 - 1 win over Sweden, with Emil Holm grabbing a late consolation goal for Sweden.
The last time out for Austria was a top of the group clash against Belgium. Despite a late comeback from Konrad Laimer and Marcel Sabitzer, Belgium won 3 - 2 with a brace from Dodi Lukebakio and a goal from Lukaku.
Azerbaijan and Austria have met just five times, with their first meeting coming back in 2004. Austria have the better record in the fixture with four wins and one draw, with Azerbaijan never winning in the fixture.