Armenian Premier League final round to decide Ararat’s fate and last European spot
- Author: Vahe Hakobyan
- Sportaran
Today, May 26, the Armenian Premier League will hold the matches of the final, 27th round. On the last matchday of the season, two major questions could be answered at once: which team will leave the top division and who will claim the final European qualification spot.
The main focus will be on the matches Alashkert vs Shirak and BKMA vs Ararat. Their results will directly affect both the relegation battle and the distribution of places in the European zone.
At the moment, Shirak have 13 points, while Ararat have 12. If the teams finish level on points, the advantage will go to the Yerevan club thanks to a higher number of wins, as the head-to-head record between the teams is even.
For Ararat, the situation is clear: the team will keep its place in the Premier League if it beats BKMA or draws — provided that Alashkert defeats Shirak. In that case, Ararat will move ahead of the Gyumri club in the standings.
However, if Alashkert and Shirak draw, Ararat will need only a victory over BKMA to survive. A draw in this scenario would not allow the Yerevan club to climb above last place.
The Alashkert vs Shirak match also carries special importance in the European race. A win will guarantee Alashkert a place in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. However, in case of a draw, the team could lose its European position to Urartu, who will play their match tomorrow against Noah.
For Shirak, the scenario is even simpler: a win over Alashkert will not only allow the team to stay in the Premier League, but will also automatically send Ararat to the First League — regardless of the result of the BKMA vs Ararat match.
If relegated, this would be Ararat’s second drop to a lower division during the club’s history in independent Armenian championships. The last time the Yerevan club played in the First League was in 2010. Before that, Ararat had competed in the second-tier division only in 1965, during the Soviet championship era.
Both matches will kick off at 19:00 Yerevan time. The remaining three matches of the final round will take place tomorrow.
The matches can be watched HERE.