Monday, 29 June 2020

Preview : Armenia Premier League – Round 26


June 29, 2020




With 25 matches completed for the teams in the teams in the Championship Round of the Armenian Premier League, Champions Ararat Armenia are level with Shirak with three matches to play. With five wins and two draws Shirak have gone from 6th place at the end of the regular season to be being Ararat-Armenia’s main rival for the title.  With 22 goals for Shirak all season, Ivorian Mory Kone is way clear at the top of the goal scoring charts, having scored double the total of Lori’s Desire, and has scored 7 times already in the Championship round. 

In contrast, Ararat-Armenia have won 2, drawn 3 and lost twice ( including to Shirak ) in the Championship Round, as the 8 point gap between them and Shirak has been eliminated. A chance for a three-point lead was wasted with a dramatic loss at Lori on Sunday, throwing away a 1-0 lead to lose in the 95th minute.

Noah still have a chance of the title, lying three points behind and have destiny in their own hands, having still to play both of the top two in their final two matches.

Alashkert still have a theoretical chance of winning the title but making up 5 points over three games is unlikely, and they have lost 3 of their last 5 matches, so a Europa League slot is their more likely ambition.

Fifth place Lori will still harbour hopes of overtaking Alashkert or Noah and taking a Europa League slot but Ararat realistically have nothing left to play for. The same applies to the three teams playing out the Relegation Round where, after the demise of FC Yerevan, no-one will be relegated this season.

The Armenian Cup final will be between Noah and Ararat-Armenia on a date still to be decided. The winner will be assured of at least a Europa League place.






Next Fixtures :
Thurs 2nd July             Shirak vs Lori                                     14.30 UK Time
Thurs 2nd July             Noah vs Ararat                                   15.00 UK Time
Thurs 2nd July             Ararat-Armenia vs Alashkert             17.00 UK Time

Relegation Round

Wed 1st July                Pyunik vs Gandzasar                          16.00 UK Time


Shirak will be hoping to put the pressure on Ararat-Armenia and Noah by winning the first match of Round 26 against Lori. Shirak have won all three home Championship Round matches in Gyumri and have only lost twice at home all season. However, one of those losses was to Lori.

Noah will be expecting to inflict another defeat on Ararat, who have only picked up 2 points in the Championship Round, and so keep breathing down the necks of the top 2 in readiness for playing them in their final two matches. However, the return fixture between these two sides was a 0-0 draw, although Noah did play nearly 80 minutes with only 10 men.

Playing last in the round, Ararat-Armenia will be hoping to take advantage of Alashkert's poor recent form to strengthen their position, and have already beaten Alashkert 2-1 earlier in the Championship Round.


How To Watch :
All matches are shown live on the Armenian Football Federation YouTube channel. Highlights will be available on the Armenian-soccer.com channel



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