Qarabağ FK are facing Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League play-off round on Wednesday evening in Baku, in what will be the first UEFA competition meeting between the two clubs.
It is also Newcastle’s first European fixture against opposition from Azerbaijan.
The match will be played at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 21:45 local time. Norwegian referee Espen Eskås has been appointed to officiate.
The tie represents a milestone for both sides. Qarabağ are competing at this stage of the Champions League for the first time and are the first Azerbaijani club to reach the knockout phase. Newcastle, meanwhile, are also appearing in the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time.
It marks Qarabağ’s latest appearance at the Champions League play-off stage, with Gurban Gurbanov’s side aiming to make full use of home advantage against Premier League opposition. Newcastle face a demanding trip to Azerbaijan - one of the longest away journeys for an English club in European competition.
Qarabağ’s past meetings with English opposition highlight the level of competition they face. In nine previous UEFA encounters against English clubs, the Azerbaijani champions have drawn once and suffered eight defeats.
Newcastle’s away form in UEFA competition has been inconsistent. The Premier League club have won just two of their last 15 European away matches, drawing eight and losing five. In this season’s league phase, they recorded one win, two draws and one defeat on the road.
Both teams enter the tie while balancing domestic campaigns with European commitments.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe acknowledged the significance of the occasion and the atmosphere expected in Baku.
“There’s a real excitement with this game and the travel and the number of supporters we’re bringing. It’s all set to be a great occasion,” Howe said. “We have to bring our A-game and approach it in the right way.”
He also cautioned against judging Qarabağ solely on a heavy defeat earlier in the competition.
“The scoreline was not reflective of the game. They made a really bright start and created chances. They showed a high technical level and have dangerous players,” he said.
Qarabağ head coach Gurban Gurbanov stressed his side’s determination to compete strongly at home.
“Newcastle United are a well-known and well-established club. They have a style of play that does not suit us,” Gurbanov said.
“No team in England wants to play against Newcastle, because they do not allow their opponents to play their game.”
The Qarabağ coach added that his players would approach the match with courage despite recognising the challenge ahead.
What to expect
Qarabağ are likely to rely on their technical discipline and structured approach, particularly in the early stages, while Newcastle will aim to impose their physical intensity and tempo.
With the second leg still to come, both sides may balance ambition with caution. For Qarabağ, the fixture represents a significant step in their European journey. For Newcastle, it is an opportunity to reinforce their position at this stage of the competition.
The first leg in Baku is expected to set the tone for what could be a competitive play-off tie.
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to di...
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while d...
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central A...
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international eff...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan remains committed to normalising relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, expressing confidenc...
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to discuss the China-facilitated Urumqi Process and regional security concerns.
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from stab wounds after his attacker falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault.
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, one of the region's largest environmental events focused on green growth, climate resilience and sustainable development.
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international effort to contain the disease before it spreads further.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
Competing narratives continue to shape perceptions of the war in Ukraine, with Russian leadership suggesting a possible end phase while Ukrainian officials warn of renewed large-scale attacks and ongoing escalation risks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with Lebanese President and Israeli Prime Minister on efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Lebanon. According to a U.S. official, Washington has proposed a plan aimed at achieving a gradual de-escalation of hostilities.
When Armenians vote on 7 June, they will be voting in an election shaped by months of political change and a rapidly deepening relationship with the European Union. The result may not only determine who governs Armenia but also the future direction of the country's geopolitical alignment.
Unsealed records from the U.S. Department of Justice have renewed scrutiny of lawyer Robert Amsterdam after documents revealed communications between his law firm and Jeffrey Epstein's office. The disclosures have drawn attention because of Amsterdam's prominent role in Armenia.
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to discuss the China-facilitated Urumqi Process and regional security concerns.
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, one of the region's largest environmental events focused on green growth, climate resilience and sustainable development.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan remains committed to normalising relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, expressing confidence that decades of regional hostility will eventually give way to lasting stability.
Kazakhstan has restored oil production after an accident at the Tengiz oil field briefly disrupted output last week, while also signalling its readiness to increase crude shipments through the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline.
Baku has once again become a focal point for international energy diplomacy, investment and strategic cooperation, as Baku Energy Week brings together policymakers, industry leaders and investors from around the world.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment