Azerbaijan vs Malta prediction, preview & betting tips – 05/06/2026

Azerbaijan and Malta meet in an international friendly on Friday evening, with both nations using the fixture as part of their preparations for the next UEFA Nations League campaign.

Neither side has enjoyed much success in recent years, but Azerbaijan arrive with renewed confidence following a pair of positive results in March, while Malta are still attempting to recover from a disappointing Nations League relegation playoff defeat.

Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.

Azerbaijan vs, Malta key stats

• Malta have won only one of their last seven international matches.
• Malta have failed to score in two of their last four matches
• Azerbaijan have scored in each of their last three matches
• Azerbaijan are unbeaten in their last two matches

Azerbaijan vs. Malta preview: Hosts looking to build momentum

Azerbaijan endured another frustrating World Cup qualifying cycle, failing to record a single victory for the second consecutive campaign and extending a difficult period that saw them go 16 matches without a win between September 2024 and March 2026.

However, there have been encouraging signs since the appointment of Aykhan Abbasov, after which they have enjoyed a convincing 6-1 victory over Saint Lucia before edging Sierra Leone via a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw, results that helped lift confidence around the national team after a prolonged barren spell.

While their overall record remains modest, the hosts will view this fixture as an opportunity to continue that progress, having shown greater attacking intent in recent matches.

Malta, meanwhile, produced one of the biggest results in their history when they defeated Finland 1-0 away from home in World Cup qualifying last November, recording only their fourth-ever victory in that competition.

Since then, however, progress has stalled, with Emilio De Leo's side comfortably beaten 5-0 on aggregate by Luxembourg in the UEFA Nations League relegation playoff during March, exposing several weaknesses at both ends of the pitch.

There was at least some encouragement in Monday's narrow 2-1 defeat away to Slovakia, where Malta remained competitive throughout and only conceded the decisive goal deep into stoppage time.

Azerbaijan vs. Malta form guide & betting tips

Whispers predicts: Azerbaijan 1-0 Malta

Azerbaijan's recent performances suggest they are gradually moving in the right direction under Abbasov, and this could make the difference against a Malta side that has struggled to build momentum since its memorable win in Finland.

Malta are usually competitive in low-scoring matches, but their attacking limitations could prove costly against an Azerbaijan team that has looked more confident in recent outings.

We expect the hosts to edge a tight encounter, making Azerbaijan to win at around 3/4 (1.75) an appealing selection, while Under 2.5 goals is also the same price at 3/4 (1.75) , an option that also looks likely given the limited attacking output of both sides.