Viking vs Sabahpredicted line-ups, prediction and how to watch
Predicted line-ups, prediction and how to watch for Viking vs Sabah: everything you need to know before the game.
Viking host Sabah FA on Wednesday 4 November at 14:00 Mexico City time at the SR-Bank Arena in Stavanger, in matchday four of the Champions League league phase.
The Norwegians are 33rd with one point from three games, while the Azerbaijani side are 25th on three points.
Match preview
Viking are back in the Champions League for the first time since 1992-93 and are still looking for their first win. They have one point from three games, having drawn 3-3 with Bayern Munich at home and lost twice on the road, most recently 3-1 at Aston Villa.
Home soil has been kinder. The Norwegians are unbeaten in their last six European fixtures at home, and each of the club's last seven home games has produced at least three goals.
The concern is at the back. Viking have shipped nine goals in three Champions League matches and sit on a goal difference of -4. They have, however, scored in each of their last 11 European games, a club record.
Domestically, the goals keep flowing. They lost 3-2 at Bodo/Glimt on 30 October, but had beaten Tromso 3-1 and Fredrikstad 3-2 beforehand. They remain top of the Eliteserien with 59 points from 25 matches.
Peter Christiansen is the main attacking threat, with three Champions League goals and 15 in the league. Zlatko Tripic is the other creator, with 24 assists in 31 appearances this season.
Sabah are in their first European Cup campaign. This is only their fourth season in Europe, and they had never previously got past the qualifying rounds. They arrive as 2025-26 Azerbaijani champions with three points.
Their league-phase campaign opened with a 4-0 defeat at Manchester United. They then beat Slavia Praha 2-0 and lost 2-1 to Borussia Dortmund, both at home. That 4-0 loss is their only away game so far.
Domestic form is mixed. Sabah lost 3-2 to Turan on 30 October, drew 0-0 with Qarabag and thrashed Qabala 4-0. Their last five games bring two wins, one draw and two defeats.
Joy-Lance Mickels and Veljko Simic are their main scorers, with four and three goals respectively in this European campaign, according to our records.
The two clubs have never met. With 36 teams in the single table, both are in the lower half and every point matters in the race to reach the knockout stage.
Viking · recent results
- LBodo/Glimt 3-2 Viking
- WViking 3-1 Tromso
- LAston Villa 3-1 Viking
- WViking 3-2 Fredrikstad
- DViking 3-3 Bayern München
Sabah FA · recent results
- LTuran 3-2 Sabah FA
- DSabah FA 0-0 Qarabag
- LSabah FA 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
- WQabala 0-4 Sabah FA
- WSabah FA 2-0 Slavia Praha
Key stats
Trends · last 5 matches
Team news
Viking have five injury absentees, according to UEFA. They include Anders Baertelsen (foot), Veton Berisha (thigh) and Sondre Bjorshol (knee). WhoScored reports no new fitness concerns after the defeat at Bodo/Glimt.
UEFA's probable XI is a 4-3-3: Ostbo; Heggheim, Stensness, Falchener, Kristoffer Haugen; Bjordal, Bell, Askildsen; Christiansen, Botheim, Tripic. WhoScored has Daland and Moi in for Falchener and Bjordal.
Sabah have no reported absentees. Simic is listed as a doubt with an unspecified issue. Their probable side is Pokatilov; Zedadka, Solvet, Dashdamirov, Puchacz; Rakhmonaliev, Lepinjica, Khaibulaev; Parris, Mickels, Nwachukwu.
We expect Viking to win 3-1. The Norwegians are strong at home and have scored in every European match this season. Sabah conceded four on their only league-phase away trip and may struggle to cope with that tempo. Mickels could still pull one back, as the hosts leave gaps.
Quick questions
What time is Viking vs Sabah?
It kicks off on Wednesday, November 4 at 2:00 PM (Mexico City time) at SR-Bank Arena.
Where can I watch Viking vs Sabah?
Mexico: FOX One. USA: Paramount+ (inglés) and ViX (español).
What are the predicted line-ups for Viking vs Sabah?
Viking: Østbø; Heggheim, Stensness, Falchener, K. Haugen; Bjørdal, Bell, Askildsen; Christiansen, Botheim, Tripić. Sabah: Pokatilov; Zedadka, Solvet, Daşdəmirov, Puchacz; Rahmonaliyev, Lepinjica, Xaybulayev; Parris, Mickels, Nwachukwu.
Who is in better form for Viking vs Sabah?
In their last 5 games, Viking have 2 wins and Sabah have 2 wins.
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