/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F06%2Fsan-marino-vs-azerbaijan-prediction.jpg)
San Marino will take on Azerbaijan in an international friendly on Tuesday, 9 June, with both sides preparing for a new UEFA Nations League campaign in September.
History suggests that both nations are highly unlikely to qualify for Euro 2028 via the normal qualification groups, but the Nations League could offer them a route in via the back door. Therefore, preparations for the tournament are vital for both managers.
Read our Romania vs Wales prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
San Marino vs Azerbaijan key stats
- Azerbaijan have a 100% record against San Marino.
- San Marino have lost 13 of their last 14 matches in all competitions.
- San Marino have conceded 26 goals across their last seven matches.
San Marino vs Azerbaijan preview: Battle of the minnows
| San Marino | vs | Azerbaijan |
|---|---|---|
| 211th | FIFA Ranking | 124th |
| Nicola Nanni (54) | Most Caps | Badavi Guseynov (78) |
| Nicola Nanni (4) | Most Goals | Emin Mahmudov (16) |
| 485 | Total Caps | 553 |
| 15 | Total Goals | 38 |
| 3 | Uncapped Players | 1 |
In years gone by, both of these nations have become accustomed to losing matches on a regular basis, so much so that there have been calls in the past to not include such teams in World Cup and European Championship qualification.
That is unlikely to happen any time soon, and for the first time in living memory, San Marino have shown some life in recent times. Finishing top of their League D Nations League group in 2025 was the nation's biggest achievement on a football field, and they now have a League C campaign to look forward to in the summer.
Roberto Cevoli, the man who masterminded San Marino's Nations League triumph, has been unable to use their performances in that competition as a springboard for better results elsewhere, but this is a team largely made up of part-time players, so it's unreasonable to expect much.
If Cevoli's men are to win their first match in 14 on Tuesday night, they will have to do so without the experienced Alessandro Golinucci, who has been ruled out with an injury.
The situation for Azerbaijan is marginally better, in that they have at least tasted victory in 2026. They are also ranked 87 places above San Marino in the world ranking, so this match could turn out to be a good confidence booster for them ahead of the Nations League.
Aykhan Abbasov is still relatively new to the job, having taken over from Fernando Santos in 2025. Santos's departure came after a desperately poor 2024/25 Nations League campaign, which saw them relegated to League D after only picking up one point.
Abbasov picked up his first win as Azerbaijan boss back in March, but his side took a backwards step earlier this week when they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of a poor Malta side.
Captain Emin Mahmudov was left out of the team for the match against Matla, but he will be hoping, and perhaps expecting, a recall here.
San Marino vs Azerbaijan form guide & betting tips
| San Marino | vs | Azerbaijan |
|---|---|---|
L
L
L
D
L
|
Form |
L
L
W
W
L
|
| 3 | Goals For | 8 |
| 12 | Goals Against | 9 |
L
L
L
D
L
|
International Friendly form |
L
L
D
L
L
|
Whispers Predicts: San Marino 1-3 Azerbaijan
San Marino are averaging more than three goals against per match over their last seven outings. Azerbaijan to score over 2.5 goals has been priced at 1/1.
Across their last 11 defeats, seven have been by a margin of two goals or more. Azerbaijan to win with a -1.5 handicap has been priced at 8/13.
Renat Dadashov is chasing a seventh international goal on Tuesday. Dadashov to score anytime has been priced at 3/1.
> Azerbaijan to score over 2.5 goals at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Possible
> Azerbaijan to win (-1.5 handicap) at 8/13 (1.62) | Likelihood: Probable
> Renat Dadashov to score anytime at 3/1 (4.00) | Likelihood: Possible