On Friday afternoon, Qarabag and Zira meet in the final of the Azerbaijan Cup.
Qarabag enjoyed a highly successful league campaign regaining their crown after losing it to Neftci last season. The title means that they have won the domestic league title for the eighth time in nine years.
WE ARE QARABAG, WE ARE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!! #CHAMPI9NS#QARABAG #AGHDAM #AZERBAIJAN 🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿 pic.twitter.com/CwJt6WnbXH— Qarabağ FK English (@FKQarabaghEN) May 3, 2022
WE ARE QARABAG, WE ARE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!! #CHAMPI9NS#QARABAG #AGHDAM #AZERBAIJAN 🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿 pic.twitter.com/CwJt6WnbXH
Qarabag finished the Premyer Liga campaign with a 21-game unbeaten record. They have also not been defeated in 15 games in all competitions.
When it comes to the Azerbaijan cup, Qarabag has not won the trophy since 2017, when they lifted it for a third straight season. They are still the second most successful club in the competition, with their tally of six wins only bettered by rivals Neftci.
Qarabag are actually unbeaten in 11 matches in 90 minutes in the Azerbaijan Cup, a run that dates back to 2019. The champions have been prolific in this season's competition, scoring at least three goals in their previous three outings in the cup competition.
Rəşad Sadiqov’s team finished third in the domestic league and will be playing European football next season. Although Zira finished the league campaign with a three-game unbeaten, they have been inconsistent of late, having won just once in their last four games in all competitions.
One major strength of Zira’s play of late has been their defence, as they have kept six clean sheets in their last seven matches in all competitions.
Like their opponents, Zira has been difficult to beat in this competition in recent seasons, as they have not lost in 90 minutes in 15 games, dating back to 2017. However, they lost 3-2 in extra-time against Shamakhi in last season’s competition.
Forebet predicts that this encounter will end in a low-scoring draw, with extra-time or a penalty shootout dictating the trophy's destination.