Manuel Chávez
Dailysports's expert
Within the framework of the 18th round of the Azerbaijani championship, a clash of leaders is set to unfold as Zira faces Karabakh. The forecast for the match between these adversaries has been meticulously crafted by the analysts of our platform.
Zira
After 17 rounds of the championship, Zira currently occupies the second position in the league table, trailing the leader by 9 points. Contemplating a championship title is now devoid of rationale, yet the pursuers are in close proximity, with a mere 4-point gap even from the sixth position. In the last fixture, the team succumbed away to Turan with a score of 0:1, perpetuating their decline as they garnered only two points in the last four rounds. Notably, Zira exhibits a feeble goal-scoring record with only 13 goals, surpassed in scarcity only by two bottom-tier teams. However, the club boasts the most resolute defense.
Karabakh
The "Stallions" require no introduction; they presently stand as the primary titans on the domestic arena. Karabakh has firmly seized the leadership, outpacing the nearest pursuer by 9 points, a lead that could only be expanded by securing victory in the imminent battle. In the last round, they managed to triumph at home against Neftchi Baku with a 2:0 scoreline.
The club also presents itself commendably in European competitions, having advanced from the group stage of the Europa League, conceding only to the formidable Bayer. Now, in the Round of 16, they are set to face the formidable Braga. Considering the current form of the team and the substantial lead, clinching the title should pose no complications.
Interesting Facts about the Match and Head-to-Head History
- The teams clashed once in this championship, with Zira securing a 1:0 victory. This marked their inaugural triumph over Karabakh in history, as the "Stallions" had not succumbed to their adversary in 31 consecutive games.
- Karabakh is on a six-game winning streak in the championship.
- Zira has failed to secure a victory in four consecutive championship games.
Forecast
Bookmakers accord an advantage to the visiting leaders in this confrontation, with the odds for Karabakh's success swiftly diminishing. The "Stallions" indeed exhibit a superior class and are poised to avenge their defeat in the first round. Expect a challenging battle, where we place our wager on Karabakh's victory with a one-goal handicap.
