Date: September 9, 2025
Time: 18:00 CET (19:00 Azerbaijan Time)
Venue: Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan
Competition: UEFA 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification, Group D, Round 6
The Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku will host a crucial UEFA World Cup Qualifier as Azerbaijan welcomes Ukraine on September 9, 2025. The two teams are fighting for points in Group D, which is currently led by France and Iceland. The match is set to be full of drama and intensity as Ukraine hopes to redeem itself after a narrow defeat to France while Azerbaijan hopes to make home the happy place. A full preview here, complete with team news, predicted lineups, statistics to monitor, and betting tips.
Match Overview
Ukraine enter this game as favourites following their 2-0 defeat to France in their last game, when Kylian Mbappé's magic at the weekend took centre stage. Ranked 25th in the world, Ukraine are hoping for their first win of the season and to keep alive hopes of reaching the play-off finals. Rank 105 Azerbaijan were thrashed 5-0 by Iceland in their opening game but showed resilience in coming back to 0-0 against France. Host Azerbaijan will hope to exploit Ukraine's defensive vulnerabilities, who have conceded in 12 of their last 14 matches.
This is more than a game—it's war for pride and points, and each team understands the task in the competition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The political climate, with Ukraine hosting neutral games due to the war, adds another emotional layer.
Team News and Expected Lineups
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan launched their campaign with a crushing loss to Iceland, exposing defense weaknesses. Manager Arif Asadov must stick with 4-2-3-1 formation, and he does not have any significant injury concerns. A return for veteran midfielder Emin Mahmudov might introduce some creativity in midfield to deal with Ukraine's high-pressing game.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Balayev (GK) – Makhmudov, Huseynov, Mustafayev, Haqqverdi – Hajiyev, Mahmudov – Dadaşov, Ozobić, Şeydayev – Emreli
Key Player: Mahir Emreli
The finishing and pace of the striker will be vital. His home record for goals (three in his past five matches) makes him Azerbaijan's most deadly man.
Ukraine
The 2-0 loss to France revealed Ukraine's attacking ability as much as their defensive weakness. Manager Serhiy Rebrov has a fully fit squad, with Oleksandr Zinchenko being reinstated into the starting XI after a run-out from the bench. Confidence within the team remains high despite playing neutral games.
Expected Starting Lineup (4-3-3):
Trubin (GK) – Konoplya, Matviyenko, Zabarnyi, Mykolenko – Stepanenko, Zinchenko, Sudakov – Yarmolenko, Dovbyk, Mudryk
Key Player: Mykhailo Mudryk
Chelsea's wide man's pace and ball control skills may be sufficient to breach Azerbaijan's defense. His recent form (two assists in his last three games) suggests he's set to make his mark.
Head-to-Head Record
The two nations have faced each other six times, with Ukraine winning four matches to Azerbaijan's one. Their last encounter in 2015 ended in a 2-0 win for Ukraine. Azerbaijan has only ever won once, in a 2002 friendly (2-0), but home ground could usher in a surprise outcome.
October 2015 (Euro 2016 Qualifier): Ukraine 2-0 Azerbaijan
September 2015 (Euro 2016 Qualifier): Azerbaijan 0-1 Ukraine
September 2014 (Friendly): Ukraine 1-0 Azerbaijan
Recent Form
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan's shape has been patchy, with just one victory in their previous 10 games (a 2-1 success against Malta in March 2025). They have had a leaky defence, having conceded 16 goals in their previous five matches, but a draw against France indicates that they do have it in them to hold back leading sides.
Recent Results: L (0-5 vs Iceland), D (0-0 vs France), L (1-3 vs Sweden), L (0-2 vs Portugal), L (1-4 vs Kazakhstan)
Ukraine
Ukraine have not done too great in the qualifiers with a draw and a defeat. However, their 0-2 defeat against France was a narrow one, and their attacking prowess still remains a threat. They have scored in eight of their last 10 matches.
Recent Results: L (0-2 vs France), D (1-1 vs Iceland), W (2-0 vs Moldova), L (1-2 vs Georgia), W (3-1 vs Malta)
Betting Tips and Predictions
Our strongest betting recommendations based on current form and past statistics are:
Ukraine to Win (Odds: 1.85)
Ukraine's higher quality and performances in recent history against Azerbaijan make them the favorites. Azerbaijan's defense weaknesses should make it possible for Ukraine to win narrowly.
Under 2.5 Goals (Odds: 1.65)
The two teams have not been consistent in scoring in qualifiers, with Azerbaijan not scoring in two of their last three home matches and Ukraine's matches averaging 1.5 goals.
Mykhailo Mudryk Anytime Goalscorer (Odds: Varies)
Mudryk's recent form and direct style make him a likely scorer against Azerbaijan's defense.
Both Teams to Score: No (Odds: Varies)
Azerbaijan's failure to score at home (no goals in their last two) and Ukraine's defensive tactics lean towards a clean sheet.
Prediction: Azerbaijan 0-1 Ukraine
Ukraine should easily win this match with a strong performance, using Mudryk and Dovbyk to create opportunities in Azerbaijan's defense.
Where to Watch
Live TV: On CBC Sport in Azerbaijan and MEGOGO in Ukraine.
Streaming: Stream on Sofascore for live stats (https://www.sofascore.com) or UEFA.tv (free highlights).
Global: Local listings or ESPN live streams (https://www.espn.com).
Stats to Keep in Mind
Azerbaijan lost their last three home games against top-30 teams.
Ukraine won four out of their last six against Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan average 0.4 goals per game at home, while Ukraine average 1.2 goals away.
60% of Ukraine's games end with fewer than 2.5 goals.
Why This Match Matters
A positive result for Azerbaijan will keep their spirits up and keep their slim qualification hopes alive. Win or lose, victory is crucial for Ukraine to stay competitive with France and Iceland and keep play-off hopes alive. Over 30,000 fans are expected in Baku, and the atmosphere will be electric, and this is a game to watch.
Conclusion
The Azerbaijan vs. Ukraine match will be a match of tactics, where Ukraine's experience will come to the fore against Azerbaijan's home determination. Look for a low-scoring match sealed by a moment of inspiration by Mudryk or Dovbyk. Track live scores updates on Sofascore (https://www.sofascore.com) and stay with the action with hashtags #AZEUKR and #СлаваУкраїні on social media.