Estonia vs Azerbaijan Prediction: 11/10/2024

Estonia may not be among Europe’s top teams, but they are striving to maintain their position in Nations League C. However, their campaign started poorly with two losses in September—0-1 to Slovakia and a 3-0 defeat to Sweden. Despite not participating in the Euro, Estonia claimed the Baltic Cup by defeating the Faroe Islands 4-1 and Lithuania in a penalty shootout final. Aside from these wins, Estonia has faced eight consecutive defeats across all competitions and has gone 16 matches without a victory.

Similarly, Azerbaijan aims to preserve its place in League C. Like Estonia, Azerbaijan also suffered defeats in their first two matches—1-3 at home to Sweden and 0-2 away against Slovakia. Despite these setbacks, Azerbaijan showed a promising effort during the qualifiers, earning seven points in eight matches and scoring seven goals, averaging almost one goal per match in a group that included Belgium, Sweden, and Austria. Estonia was also in the same group.

Estonia will be without their usual starting number 10, Kevor Palumets, who is suspended—a notable loss for the team. Additionally, Flora Tallinn’s Sappinen (who scored 12 goals in 55 caps) is sidelined for the entire round due to injury. His club teammate Lepik (10 caps) is also injured.

Estonian veterans Klavan (130 caps) and Vassiljev (26 goals in 158 caps) both retired from international duty in 2024. Only two players on the current squad play in major leagues: goalkeeper Hein (Real Valladolid, 32 caps) and captain Mets (St. Pauli, 96 caps), who competes in the Bundesliga.

Käit (Rapid Bucharest), who has scored eight goals for the national team, will be present, along with Zenjov (113 caps, 17 goals) and Anier (23 goals in 96 caps). Right-back Seydiyev, who missed the Slovakia match in September due to injury, has recovered and is expected to feature, alongside key players Dadashov (Ankaragucu), Sheydayev (10 goals for the national team), and team captain Mahmudov (50 caps).

Most Azerbaijani players participate in relatively modest leagues, though some—such as those playing for Qarabag, which competes in the Europa League this season—are gaining valuable professional experience.

 

Prediction

Remarkably, at least one goalkeeper has kept a clean sheet in 14 of Azerbaijan’s last 15 matches at this level, and they have failed to score in their last eight away games. For Estonia, both teams have only managed to score in five of their last 20 home games in the UEFA Nations League, suggesting this match may lack goals.

Prediction: Estonia 0 : 2 Azerbaijan