Liam Duckstein
Azerbaijan and Malta meet in Bergen on June 5 in what looks like a low-stakes International Friendly, but there is more to this fixture than the neutral venue suggests. Both sides arrive in poor recent form, though Azerbaijan carry a clear statistical edge over Malta on paper. The match takes place at Brann Stadion, a venue that offers no home advantage to either side, which levels the psychological playing field somewhat.
One player worth watching for Azerbaijan is the forward line that helped them put together a 100% win rate from two matches this year, including a remarkable 10-9 scoreline against Sierra Leone. For Malta, forward creativity will fall on whoever coach Emilio De Leo trusts to break a run of form that has seen the side go winless in all three matches played in 2026.
Hot stat: Azerbaijan scored 10 goals in a single friendly against Sierra Leone, ending 10-9 in a match that alone tells you everything about the defensive fragility on both ends of that game. That kind of scoreline is an outlier, but it does signal that Azerbaijan are not shy going forward when the opposition allows space.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Friendly 2026, June Phase |
| 🏟 Venue: | Brann Stadion, Bergen |
| 🗓️ Date: | 05.06.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 20:00 CEST |
Azerbaijan vs Malta Prediction
Azerbaijan are the clear favorites here, and the odds reflect that well. Their 2026 record of two wins from two matches, combined with Malta’s zero wins from three attempts, points firmly toward an Azerbaijan victory. Aykhan Abbasov’s side has shown the ability to score freely, and Malta have conceded in nearly every recent outing.
We predict an Azerbaijan win, and the most valuable market here is an Azerbaijan win with over 2.5 goals in the match. The 10-9 result against Sierra Leone was extreme, but even the 6-1 win over St. Lucia shows Azerbaijan’s attacking intent. Malta lost 1-2 to Slovakia, 0-3 to Luxembourg, and 0-2 to Luxembourg again in their most recent matches. They are leaking goals and not scoring enough to compensate.
Azerbaijan tend to operate in a 4-3-3 shape that pushes numbers forward, which should generate corner and shot volume against a Malta side that sits in a 4-2-3-1 and absorbs pressure. Malta’s structure can frustrate teams early, but their defensive discipline has not held up across recent friendlies. Both teams to score is a reasonable call given Azerbaijan’s own defensive exposure in high-scoring games, though Malta’s lack of firepower makes it a risk. We lean toward “No” on BTTS given how little Malta have scored in 2026.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Azerbaijan to Win & Over 2.5 Goals |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | No |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 7.5 |
Team Analysis
Azerbaijan’s 2026 has been sharp in terms of results. Two wins, including that high-scoring 10-9 affair against Sierra Leone and a convincing 6-1 over St. Lucia, give coach Aykhan Abbasov reason for confidence. Zoom out to the longer form string, and the picture is messier, with a run of losses against France (1-3), Iceland (0-2), and Ukraine (1-2) exposing the gap when they face stronger opposition. The Sierra Leone and St. Lucia wins suggest they are at their best against teams ranked below them, which Malta certainly are in this context.
Malta’s story in 2026 is one of consistent struggle. A 1-2 loss to Slovakia most recently, sandwiched between two defeats to Luxembourg (0-2 and 0-3), paints a side that is not converting chances and is giving up goals too easily. Their lone 2026 win came against Finland (1-0), which remains an outlier. Coach Emilio De Leo will need to find some attacking spark, because the 4-2-3-1 system has been too passive in recent outings. Malta have managed just two goals across their last three matches while conceding seven.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
There is only one head-to-head record available between these two sides in the current dataset, and it is the upcoming fixture itself. The table below reflects the bookmaker expectations for this match.
| Statistic | Azerbaijan | Malta |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 5 | 1 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 76 | 72 |
| Offsides | 8 | 5 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Azerbaijan vs Malta stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Azerbaijan the Favourite
- Moneyline Azerbaijan 1.64 | Malta 4.90
- Draw 3.65
- Over/Under Over 2.5 N/A | Under 2.5 N/A
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes N/A | No N/A
Azerbaijan at 1.64 with Bovada reflects the 56% win probability the market assigns them, and to be honest, that feels about right given the form gap. Malta at 4.90 is a long shot for good reason. The draw at 3.65 is interesting only if you believe Malta’s defensive structure can hold Azerbaijan to a blank, which recent evidence does not strongly support. The value in this match sits squarely on Azerbaijan winning, and the over 2.5 goals line adds a layer of upside given the attacking output Azerbaijan have shown this year.
Malta. Source: Official Facebook
Possible Starting Lineups
Azerbaijan Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev
- DF: Bahlul Mustafazade, Maksim Medvedev, Urfan Abbasov, Elvin Jafarguliyev
- MF: Mahir Emreli, Eddy Silvestre, Namig Alasgarov
- FW: Ramil Sheydayev, Emin Mahmudov, Tural Bayramov
Azerbaijan are expected to line up in their familiar 4-3-3 shape under Aykhan Abbasov. Ramil Sheydayev is the player to watch up front. He carries the most goal threat in this squad and will look to exploit space behind Malta’s high defensive line. The midfield trio should dominate possession against a Malta side that tends to sit deep, which means Azerbaijan will likely generate the corner volume we are predicting.
Malta Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Henry Bonello
- DF: Steve Borg, Joseph Mbong, Kurt Shaw, Enrico Pepe
- MF: Jake Grech, Teddy Teuma, Matthew Guillaumier
- FW: Jurgen Degabriele, Paul Mbong, Bjorn Kristensen
Emilio De Leo is likely to deploy the 4-2-3-1 that Malta have used consistently across their recent matches. Henry Bonello will be busy between the sticks. Teddy Teuma remains the creative hub in midfield and the player most capable of unlocking something going forward. Jurgen Degabriele will need to be sharp on the counter if Malta are to threaten, because extended periods of possession are unlikely to come their way in Bergen.
🏅Tips.GG premium subscription brings you even closer to WIN!🏅
- Gain access to the most profitable bets by using our analysis of over 60,000 monthly predictions from 1000+ sources.
- Premium users enjoy predictions from tipsters with the highest win rate while also gaining access to favorable odds, outcome calculation, and quick filter to favorable odds.
- Unlock the “Golden Bet” – our unique formula for the best high-odd betting opportunities! Get detailed reports on our system’s performance, including Winrate, ROI, and Yield.
Azerbaijan. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
We predict Azerbaijan to win this match. Their 2026 form is strong against lower-ranked opposition, and Malta arrive in Bergen without a win all year and with a defensive record that offers little resistance. The 4-3-3 setup Azerbaijan use should generate enough pressure to find the net at least twice, and Malta’s attacking output has not been convincing enough to suggest they will score.
The best bet is Azerbaijan win combined with over 2.5 goals at around 1.64 to 1.72 depending on your bookmaker. The corner market at over 7.5 also has value given Azerbaijan’s wide-attacking style and Malta’s tendency to defend deep and give up set pieces under pressure. Perhaps the only scenario that disrupts this is Malta parking the bus effectively for 90 minutes, but their recent results suggest they lack the defensive organization to do it consistently.
