World Cup Qualification Europe - San Marino vs Azerbaijan

World Cup Qualification Europe - San Marino vs Azerbaijan preview

September 04, 2016 18:00pm - Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle

World Cup Qualification - Group C

Only ten teams on the planet have a lower FIFA world ranking than San Marino. This weekend, the European minnows will begin their unlikely quest for World Cup qualification against an Azerbaijan side currently 64 places above them in the rankings.

Azerbaijan enjoy rare status as favourites in low-ranking encounter

In their last 19 World Cup qualifying matches, San Marino have conceded 96 goals and scored just one. Their best result in that time was 2-0 defeat to Moldova while their worst was a 10-0 reverse against Poland. As a result, the main question for punters on Sunday will be “how many goals will Azerbaijan score?”

Opponents Azerbaijan come into this game on the back of a four-game unbeaten run in World Cup Qualification. A 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland back in October 2013 was preceded by back-to-back 1-1 draws against Luxembourg and Israel and followed by another 1-1 draw against Russia. However, their recent European qualification campaign featured just one win (2-0 over Malta), three draws and six defeats, and left them second bottom of Group H.

Recent form (All competitions)

San Marino: LLLLL

Azerbaijan: DLDLW

Betting odds and tips

It has been nearly 10 years since Azerbaijan scored more than two goals in an away game and they have never bagged more than three on the road, so don’t expect a goal fest in this game.

San Marino do not score often and will do well to get on the score sheet here. The away win offers little value but you can improve your return by looking at the Win to Nil market.

Back Azerbaijan to Win to Nil at 1/2 with Bet365

By Neil Morris

Go To bet365

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