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Azerbaijan Premier League 2024-25 Season Preview

August 2, 2024
Investigation Piece, Tactical Preview

The 2024/25 Azerbaijan Premier League season promises to be another exciting campaign, as teams gear up to challenge for the title and avoid the dreaded drop. The transfer market has been bustling, with clubs bolstering their squads in anticipation of a highly competitive season.

 

Qarabağ prediction: 1st 

Last season’s position: 1st

 

Unsurprisingly, Qarabağ is once again the favorite to win the Premier League. With Gurban Gurbanov at the helm and a squad packed with talent and experience, Qarabağ is well-positioned to continue their reign at the top of Azerbaijani football.

 

 

Gurban Gurbanov’s side has been a model of consistency and excellence, blending tactical acumen with a star-studded squad. Their dominance in domestic competitions and recent strong performances in Europe underline their formidable capabilities.

 

One of Qarabağ’s most noteworthy advantages is their incredible squad depth. With talented players in almost every position, they can rotate without a significant drop in quality. This depth allows them to compete on multiple fronts without fatigue setting in.

 

Gurbanov’s tactical flexibility and in-game management have been crucial to Qarabağ’s success. His ability to tweak formations and strategies based on the opponent makes the Horsemen adaptable and difficult to predict.

 

 

Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev may hog the headlines and Leandro Andrade may be the fans’ choice, but it’s Juninho who holds the key for the Horsemen. The Brazilian magician boasts an unrivalled right foot, capable of slicing open defenses with remarkable ease.

 

Sabah prediction: 2nd

Last season’s position: 3rd

 

Sabah is positioned as the primary challenger to Qarabağ’s hegemony in the Premier League. Under the guidance of Krunoslav Rendulić, Sabah has transformed into a formidable force, showcasing steady improvement over the past few seasons. Their recent performances have instilled a renewed sense of belief among fans and pundits alike.

 

 

With footballers like Kaheem Parris and Pavol Šafranko, Sabah’s attack is both experienced and dynamic. These players bring pace, skill, and a knack for crucial goals, making Sabah a constant threat in the final third. Maintaining consistency throughout the season will be crucial. Sabah has shown flashes of brilliance but needs to sustain high-level performances all the way to the end to challenge for the title.

 

 

Neftchi prediction: 3rd  

Last season’s position: 5th

 

Neftchi enters the 2024/2025 season with a major transition at the helm, as Roman Hryhorchuk takes over managerial duties from Miodrag Božović. Despite the change, Neftchi’s active transfers and serious pre-season preparation signals their ambition to reclaim their spot among Azerbaijan’s elite.

 

Known for his tactical nous at Gabala, Hrygorchuk’s adaptation to the Premier League will be pivotal. His approach and ability to integrate into the team’s culture will influence Neftchi’s success.

 

Neftchi’s attacking line has seen notable additions, enhancing their control and creativity. The depth in midfield will be crucial in managing the demands of a packed schedule. Key players like Emin Mahmudov and Keelan Lebon provide experience and stability, while new signatures like Ramil Sheydayev and Robert Bauer bring energy and dynamism to the squad.

 

 

The Oilers fell alarmingly last season, down to fifth place and missing European qualification for the first time since 2017-18. The only way has to be up.

 

Zira prediction: 4th  

Last season’s position: 2nd

 

Under the tactical guidance of Rashad Sadygov, Zira’s defensive approach makes them a formidable force. Key players like Davit Volkovi and Ruan Renato will be crucial to their upcoming campaign, while the addition of new signings such as Ange Mutsinzi and Davit Volkovi further strengthens their squad.

 

Turan prediction: 5th  

Last season’s position: 6th

 

Turan is the darkest of the dark horses. New money made them competitive and a severe threat to all 9 other teams. It’s now time to show whether they mean business.

 

 

Despite being considered an outsider for the title, Kurban Berdyev will be keen to establish his side as a formidable contender for third place. He is the man handed the unenviable task of rallying the troops and building on solid foundations, but as impressive as his Rubin Kazan side were, he still remains untested in Azerbaijan.

 

Sumgayit prediction: 6th

Last season’s position: 4th

 

Sumgayit enters the new season with significant pressure to improve on their recent performances. Their early exit from Europe was disappointing, and the club is eager to earn more silverware. Samir Abbasov’s ability to deploy a high-pressing, attack-oriented strategy has made Sumgayit one of the most exciting teams to watch in the APL. Sumgayit’s main challenge will be maintaining consistency throughout the season. Depth and rotation will be crucial to managing player fatigue and injuries.

 

Shamakhi prediction: 7th

Last season’s position: N/A (Promoted from the League I)

 

The newly promoted side will mainly be focused on remaining in the top flight of Azerbaijani football, however, some fans will be looking for a mid-table finish. It’s not entirely out of reach for the club, however, Aykhan Abbasov will have his work cut out if he is to achieve this goal.

 

 

Araz Nakhchivan prediction: 8th

Last season’s position: 8th

 

Araz Nakhchivan’s financial resilience enabled the Nakhchivan side to maintain a robust squad, ensuring that they remained competitive despite the challenges. However, Araz manager Elmar Bakhshyev’s job is already under threat just a few weeks into his tenure, amid disagreements at the board level over his transfer policies.

 

Sabail prediction: 9th

Last season’s position: 7th

 

This season is going to be an uphill struggle for the Sailors but Sabail manager Shahin Diniyev is used to being written off. He was close to the sack on several occasions last season but he somehow managed to survive. There is disquiet over his style of play within the dressing room and the club’s budget significantly decreased following poor season. Diniyev could be in trouble again if Sabail’s strategy backfires again.

 

 

Kapaz prediction: 10th

Last season’s position: 9th

 

Kapaz survived relegation but manager Adil Shukurov has a huge job on his hands to keep them up. The departure of midfielder Martins Júnior is expected to leave a significant void in Kapaz’s attacking prowess. The loss of Martins Júnior’s prolific goal-scoring ability could prove detrimental to their chances of avoiding relegation. The club also faces considerable challenges due to their squad depth, especially given recent financial woes.

 

By: Fuad Alakbarov / @DrAlakbarov

Featured Image: @Juanffrann / Aziz Karimov – Stringer

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