FC Shirak Gyumri vs Urartu Prediction: The defending champions will dominate

Struggling Shirak will host defending champions Urartu at the Gyumri City Stadium on Saturday in a clash that appears to be one-sided. Previews, H2H, expert tips, and odds are provided below.

Shirak's journey in the league this season has been characterized by a mixed bag of results. After the completion of four matchdays, they have managed to secure just one victory, which came against West Armenia—a team struggling to find its footing in the league as well. This initial success seemed promising, but unfortunately, Shirak's fortunes took a turn for the worse in the subsequent matches.

Their recent form has been marred by a string of three consecutive losses. First, they faced a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Van, followed by another close loss of the same scoreline against BKMA. The most significant setback came in their most recent clash against Noah, where they were handed a resounding 4-0 defeat. This string of defeats has raised concerns about their defensive solidity, as they conceded a total of 8 goals across these three matches.

Despite managing to find the back of the net on a few occasions, Shirak's overall goal-scoring has been limited to just 4 goals in the league so far. This lack of offensive output, coupled with their defensive vulnerabilities, has contributed to their current position in the league standings.

Another concerning aspect of Shirak's performance is their struggles at home. Despite playing in front of their home fans, they have been unable to secure any points from their two home matches, indicating difficulties in translating their efforts into positive results on their home turf.

As a result of this rollercoaster of results, Shirak currently find themselves situated second to the bottom of the league table. With only 3 points to their name, they have a challenging task ahead to climb up the standings and establish a more competitive presence in the league. Addressing both their defensive shortcomings and offensive struggles will be crucial in turning their season around and aiming for a more successful trajectory in the coming matches.

Urartu, as the reigning champions, enter this upcoming match as the favored team based on their recent performance in the league. Their initial matches in the new season showcased a mix of victories and challenges, highlighting both their strengths and areas for improvement.

In the opening fixtures of the season, Urartu demonstrated their title-winning pedigree by securing wins in their first two matches. They managed to edge past BKMA with a 2-1 scoreline, followed by a similar outcome against Ararat-Armenia. These victories served as a testament to their ability to perform under pressure and maintain their status as a strong contender in the league. However, their momentum was halted with a setback in their third match, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Noah.

Urartu's most recent match ended in a 1-1 draw against Pyunik, further illustrating that their path to success is not without its challenges. This draw signifies their determination to salvage a point despite facing a competitive opponent.

Taking a look at their overall performance so far, Urartu currently occupy the 5th position in the league standings. With 7 points from 4 games, they have managed to find the back of the net 5 times while also conceding 5 goals.

As they navigate through the season, Urartu will aim to build on their strengths and address any weaknesses in their squad. While they hold the status of defending champions, their competitors will undoubtedly seek to challenge their reign. Urartu's ability to adapt and maintain their consistency will play a crucial role in determining their success in retaining the league title.

In their recent head-to-head encounters spanning from 2019 to the present, Shirak and Urartu have crossed paths 11 times. Looking at their historical matchups, the balance has tilted in favor of Urartu, who have demonstrated a higher level of success against their opponents.

Out of these 11 matches, Shirak managed to secure a victory on one occasion, while Urartu emerged victorious in 7 instances. The remaining 3 encounters between these teams resulted in draws, highlighting the competitiveness of their clashes.

Urartu's dominance becomes evident when considering their recent form against Shirak. They have remained undefeated in the last 9 meetings, showcasing their consistent performance and ability to maintain an upper hand over their opponents. Additionally, Urartu have clinched victoriesa in the last 5 consecutive encounters, further emphasizing their strong hold over these matchups.

Interestingly, the most recent matches between Shirak and Urartu have been characterized by a trend of goals and balanced gameplay. The last 3 matches between these sides have witnessed a total of at least 3 goals scored, showcasing an attacking intent from both teams. Furthermore, the "Both Teams to Score" outcome has also been a consistent feature in these recent encounters.

With Urartu's established record of success against Shirak and the potential for lively goal-scoring matches, fans can anticipate an engaging and closely contested encounter when these two sides face off again. The history of their matchups suggests that both teams will bring their A-game to the pitch, making for an exciting spectacle for football enthusiasts.

• BTTS for 1.93 odds
• Over 2.5 for 1.86 odds
• Total 2: over 1.5 for 1.70 odds