Sumqayıt vs Qarabag - Premyer Liqa

The Premyer Liqa returns to the home ground on May 22, 2026, where Sumqayıt and Qarabag will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. The sheer joy on the 18-year-old defender’s face resonated with Paul Schaffran back at the academy.

Both camps will view the Premyer Liqa meeting at the home ground as an opportunity to put a marker down, regardless of where they currently stand. The hosts have found wins hard to come by, DDL across their last five telling the story of a win rate of 0%. The visitors arrive in confident mood, their recent run of WDDWW backed by a season win rate of 80%. Goals could be in short supply or plentiful — Sumqayıt average 0.8 per game to Qarabag's 1.8, and that gap may dictate the rhythm of the contest. What happened is that when the team was being defeated game after game, they put more money on the table to solve the problem." It did not work.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. Sumqayıt will look to impose their style on home soil, while Qarabag are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. It meant City had a three-man defence of Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and Ruben Dias when in possession.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. The wide areas will be a key battleground, with full-backs and wingers on either side capable of swinging the contest one way or the other. Another midfielder is wanted after already signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, with strengthening the left-hand side of their team also being a priority.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. Neither side holds a clear edge, and a 2-2 draw would be a fitting reflection of the balance between them. Whatever the outcome, the Premyer Liqa fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. All I ever wanted to do was win a championship for the New York Giants.” Beckham Jr is likely to play in the Giants’ first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium next weekend.