Sabah Baku vs H. Beer Sheva Prediction & Betting Tips (25 August)

Sabah Baku host Hapoel Beer Sheva on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, in the decisive second leg of the UEFA Champions League 2026/2027 Play-Off Round at the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium. The Azerbaijani side face a stern challenge after falling to a 2-1 defeat in the first leg at the Rapid-Giulești Stadium in Bucharest, where Veljko Simić gave Sabah an early lead before Javon East and Igor Zlatanović turned the match around for the Israeli outfit. With a place in the lucrative Champions League league phase on the line, Sabah must win by a two-goal margin in front of their home supporters to keep their European dream alive.

Both managers are expected to field their strongest available selections from the 2026/2027 season squads. Sabah coach Valdas Dambrauskas can call upon goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov, a back four featuring Akim Zedadka, Steve Solvet, Rahman Dashdamirov and Tymoteusz Puchacz, with Umarali Rakhmonaliev and Ivan Lepinjica shielding the defence. The attacking unit of Aleksey Isayev, Veljko Simić and Joy-Lance Mickels will look to unlock a Hapoel defence marshalled by captain Miguel Vítor, with Ofir Marciano between the posts. Hapoel coach Ran Kozuk is likely to stick with the 4-3-3 system that worked in the first leg, deploying Guy Mizrahi, Itay Rotman and Pedro Amador alongside Vítor, while Eliel Peretz, Lucas Ventura and Niv Yehoshua control midfield. The front three of Javon East, Igor Zlatanović and Zahi Ahmed carry the goal threat, though Eylon Almog remains unavailable for the visitors.

Form guides suggest a tight contest despite the first-leg deficit. Sabah have shown resilience in European qualifying, notably eliminating AGF Aarhus 5-2 on aggregate in the previous round, and they have a habit of scoring first in recent fixtures. Hapoel arrive with confidence after stunning Crvena zvezda to reach this stage, though their recent domestic cup outing ended in a 1-2 defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv, a reminder that they can be vulnerable on the road. Sabah will look to exploit any defensive frailties early, knowing that an opening goal would shift the momentum dramatically in this finely poised tie.

European bookmakers have priced Sabah as slight favourites to win the second leg, offering odds around 2.05 for a home victory, with the draw quoted at 3.60 and an away win for Hapoel Beer Sheva available at 3.40. The over 2.5 goals market sits at 1.85, reflecting expectations of an open game as Sabah push for the comeback. Given the home support, the attacking quality of players like Mickels and Simić, and Hapoel's tendency to concede chances on their travels, our prediction is a 3-1 victory for Sabah Baku on the night, which would send the Azerbaijani side through to the Champions League group stage with a 4-3 aggregate triu