SOCCER PREVIEW: Qarabağ Ağdam FK vs. Lokomotiv İmişli

BAKU, Azerbaijan (Interstat) — Qarabağ Ağdam FK will look to extend its dominance in the Premyer Liqa when it hosts Lokomotiv İmişli on Friday, May 15, 2026, at a venue to be announced. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. local time.

The match pits the league’s perennial power against a relegation-threatened side that has not defeated Qarabağ in more than two decades. The teams’ most recent meeting came May 5, 2004 (Interstat) — a 3-0 Qarabağ victory.

Qarabağ enters the fixture following a 1-1 draw at Qəbələ on Saturday, May 9. In that match, Qarabağ’s form was uneven after a run of three wins in four matches, including a stunning 7-0 rout of Karvan on April 6 and a 6-0 thrashing of Araz-Naxçıvan on March 8.

However, the club has also shown vulnerability. On April 18, Sabah FK handed Qarabağ a 1-0 loss, and a 2-1 defeat to Neftçi PFK on April 30 snapped a brief winning streak. Overall, Qarabağ’s season has been typical of a champion: 10 wins, two draws and two losses in its last 14 league outings, with a goal differential of plus-29 in that span.

Lokomotiv İmişli, meanwhile, is searching for consistency. The club’s last league result was the 3-0 loss to Qarabağ in 2004, though that match is an outlier given the two decades of squad turnover. Lokomotiv’s recent form is not listed, but the club has historically struggled against top-tier opposition.

A computer simulation by Interstat projects a 4-0 Qarabağ victory, reflecting the home side’s attacking depth and Lokomotiv’s defensive challenges. Midfielder Moussa Gurbanli and striker Renat Dadashov are expected to lead the Qarabağ attack, while Lokomotiv will rely on goalkeeper Kamran Aghayev to keep the scoreline respectable.

The match is part of the Premyer Liqa’s late-season push, with Qarabağ chasing another title and Lokomotiv fighting to avoid the relegation playoff. Friday’s result could have significant implications for both clubs.