At the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium on 16 November 2025, Azerbaijan host group winners France in a match where the stakes are minimal for the visitors but pride remains on the line for the struggling hosts. The contrast between the two teams’ trajectories could hardly be sharper as they close out their qualifying campaigns.
Azerbaijan Still Searching for Relief
Azerbaijan continue to endure a difficult spell. Their 0–2 home defeat to Iceland on Thursday extended a painful run of fifteen consecutive matches without a victory, twelve of which ended in defeat. Confidence has eroded further due to their home form - eight straight matches in Baku without a win and six recent home losses underline the scale of the challenge. Azerbaijan’s attacking output has been limited, and their difficulty in creating clear chances has repeatedly left them vulnerable to opponents who dictate the tempo.
France Secure Top Spot and Rotate
France sealed first place in the group with a commanding 4–0 victory over Ukraine, displaying once again their depth, precision, and attacking control. With qualification guaranteed, Didier Deschamps is expected to rotate his squad heavily. Kylian Mbappé, who scored twice against Ukraine, has already departed to rejoin Real Madrid and will not feature in Baku. Even with changes, France possess far more quality across every line, and their offensive rhythm has been relentless - they have scored at least two goals in each of their last eight matches. The focus now shifts to maintaining structure while avoiding unnecessary risks.
Prediction: BTTS – No
Given Azerbaijan’s prolonged scoring struggles and France’s defensive discipline - even with rotations - the likelihood of both sides finding the net is low. France should control the match comfortably, while Azerbaijan’s lack of attacking threat makes a breakthrough against such an organised team unlikely. The selection is Both Teams to Score – No.
