Azerbaijan vs Liechtenstein – News and Probable Lineups

Azerbaijan will face Liechtenstein in their UEFA Nations League clash on Thursday evening.

The hosts kicked off their League D Group 2 campaign with a 1-1 draw against Lithuania, whereas Liechtenstein suffered a 2-0 defeat against Lithuania in their opening match of the 2026-27 season.

Match overview

With the abolishment of League D for the 2028-29 edition of the Nations League, every team, including Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein, and Lithuania, will be promoted from League C.

Azerbaijan was demoted from League C in the 2024-25 Nations League, marking their first appearance in League D since the 2018-19 season.

Aykhan Abbasov’s team managed a 1-1 draw against Lithuania in their tournament opener on September 27, and they are gearing up for two more fixtures against Liechtenstein and Lithuania before the conclusion of this international break.

Azerbaijan has previously met Liechtenstein five times, achieving three wins, one draw, and one loss against their Thursday rivals.

The last encounter between these teams took place in February 2013, where Azerbaijan claimed a 1-0 victory during a friendly match.

Interestingly, Liechtenstein claimed victory in their very first match against Azerbaijan in October 1998, winning 2-1 in the European Championship qualifier.

However, Azerbaijan has emerged victorious in three out of the last four matchups between these two sides.

Liechtenstein began their League D Group 2 campaign with a 2-0 loss at home to Lithuania on September 24, followed by a 2-0 defeat to Malta in a friendly three days later.

The Blue-Reds have been a part of League D since the Nations League’s inception, but their overall performance in the competition has been lackluster, as they have only secured two wins out of their 21 matches, while losing 14 times.

Konrad Funfstuck’s squad has just one more Nations League game in this international period, as they will face Gibraltar in a friendly match on October 5.

Azerbaijan Nations League form:

D

Azerbaijan form (all competitions):

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Liechtenstein Nations League form:

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Liechtenstein form (all competitions):

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Team News

Azerbaijan is expected to feature Renat Dadasov as the central forward this Thursday night.

Mahir Emreli is anticipated to start in a wide role for the home side, aiming to increase his tally of six goals for the national team.

Additionally, Rahil Mammadov is likely to play a pivotal role in the central defense.

Liechtenstein reported no fitness concerns ahead of this matchup against Azerbaijan.

Fabio Luque-Notaro and Ferhat Saglam are expected to appear again as the front two.

The captain, Nicolas Hasler, will also start, and Aron Sele is likely to be another key player for the visiting side in this Nations League encounter.

Azerbaijan probable starting XI:

Balayev; Mutallimov, Mammadov, Huseynov, Dashdamirov, Abbasov; Emreli, Khaybulaev, Safarnov, Isayev; Dadashov

Liechtenstein probable starting XI:

Buchel; N Hasler, Weissenhofer, Traber, Goppel, Zund; Sele, Buchel, A Hasler; Luque Notaro, Saglam

Azerbaijan has had the upper hand in their matches against Liechtenstein, and it is anticipated that the home team will secure all three points in this Nations League encounter.