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On Tuesday, Sabah will host The New Saints in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League qualifying round at the Bank Respublika Arena.
The hosts from Azerbaijan enter this match hoping to take an advantage into the second leg clash in Wales.
On the other hand, the visitors from Wales arrive with significant European experience and domestic dominance.
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.
Sabah vs. TNSFC key stats
- Sabah FK have managed just one win in their last five games across all competitions, including friendlies.
- The New Saints are unbeaten in their last seven away games across all competitions.
- TNS have scored two or more goals in five of their last seven away games across all competitions.
Sabah vs. TNSFC preview: Champions League debutants clash
Sabah vs. TNSFC — Tale of the Tape
| Sabah | vs | TNSFC |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Position | 1st |
| 78 | Points | 80 |
| 75 | Goals For | 81 |
| 25 | Goals Against | 25 |
| 14 | Clean Sheets | 17 |
| 2nd/1st | Home / Away Rank | 1st/1st |
Sabah enter this historic European fixture sitting on the crest of a wave after securing their first-ever Azerbaijani Premier League title.
The Azerbaijani side managed to dismantle a long-standing domestic monopoly of Qarabag by a comfortable nine-point margin last season.
Under their Lithuanian manager, Valdas Dambrauskas, the hosts have quickly transitioned from ambitious newcomers into a formidable force capable of competing on the continental stage.
This UEFA Champions League qualifier marks their maiden appearance in the elite competition, providing an opportunity to play in Europe.
Playing at the Bank Respublika Arena in Masazir gives the home side a massive advantage that they will look to exploit.
However, they still have to work on their recent performance if they are to take a big advantage to Wales for the second leg.
Dambrauskas’s side have failed to win their last three pre-season friendlies in preparation for the new season.
The New Saints, on the other hand, come to Azerbaijan as a team that qualified for the UEFA Conference League last season.
Craig Harrison has managed to build an incredibly dominant outfit that finished twenty points clear at the summit of the Cymru Premier last season.
Securing a fifth consecutive domestic league title has allowed the Saints to cement their status as the undisputed kings of Welsh football.
However, translating this domestic dominance into consistent European success has often proved to be an elusive task for the Welsh champions.
The visitors possess considerable European pedigree, having made history during the 2024/25 campaign by reaching the league phase of the Conference League.
This continental adventure provided the squad with invaluable experience of playing against top-tier European opposition.
In addition, their form has been remarkable, with an unbeaten run of five games across all competitions.
In preparation for the new season, they have secured one win and a draw in their recent pre-season friendlies, giving them a boost ahead of the first-leg Champions League clash.
Sabah vs. TNSFC form guide & betting tips
| Sabah | vs | TNSFC |
|---|---|---|
LWDDL |
Form | WWWDW |
| 6 | Goals For | 10 |
| 9 | Goals Against | 3 |
NA |
Champions League qualification | NA |
Whispers predicts: Sabah 2-2 TNSFC
While both teams dominated their respective domestic leagues last season, Sabah head into the game in poor form, having failed to win any of their last three pre-season friendlies.
The New Saints, on the other hand, have started their pre-season in style, avoiding a loss in their first two games.
We anticipate a close game with both teams settling for a draw and a high number of goals scored.
The bookmakers have priced the home side as favourites to win this match at 2/5 (1.40) odds.
A draw is currently valued at 18/5 (4.60), whilst an away victory for TNS is at 7/1 (8.00) odds.
Other options like over 2.5 goals are priced at 19/20 (1.95), which is a possible outcome.
Both teams to score (yes) is valued at 11/8 (2.38), which is an appealing option to select.
The first half total goals (over 0.5) is also an option to consider, which is given at 4/11 (1.36), and the away team double chance is at 2/1 (3.00).
> Away team double chance at 2/1 (3.00)| Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 19/20 (1.95)| Likelihood: Possible
> Both teams to score at 11/8 (2.38)| Likelihood: Possible
> Home team total goals (0.5) at 4/11 (1.36)| Likelihood: Possible