2023–24 Azerbaijan Premier League

Azerbaijan Premier League
Season2023–24
Dates4 August 2023 – 26 May 2024
ChampionsQarabağ
RelegatedGabala
UEFA Champions LeagueQarabağ
UEFA Europa LeagueZira
UEFA Conference LeagueSabah
Sumgayit
Matches played145
Goals scored376 (2.59 per match)
Top goalscorerJuninho
(17 goals)
Biggest home winQarabağ 7–1 Kapaz
(4 November 2023)
Biggest away winSumgayit 1–6 Qarabağ
(8 December 2023)
Highest scoringQarabağ 7–1 Kapaz
(4 November 2023)
Longest winning run10 matches
Qarabağ
Longest unbeaten run18 matches
Qarabağ
Longest winless run11 matches
Kapaz
Gabala
Longest losing run5 matches
Gabala
Highest attendance9,300
Sumgayit 1–0 Qarabağ
(28 April 2024)
Lowest attendance500
Sabail 1-4 Sumgayit
(5 August 2023)
Total attendance6,405
Average attendance1,281
All statistics correct as of 11 April 2024.

The 2023–24 Azerbaijan Premier League was the 32nd season of the Azerbaijan Premier League, the highest tier football league of Azerbaijan. The season began on 4 August 2023 and ended on 26 May 2024.

Teams

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Team changes

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Promoted from
2022–23 Azerbaijan First Division
Relegated to
2023–24 Azerbaijan First Division
Araz-Naxçıvan Shamakhi

Stadia and locations

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Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Team Year Established Location Venue Capacity[1]
Araz-Naxçıvan 1967 Nakhchivan, Baku Dalga Arena 6,500
Gabala 1995[2][3] Qabala Gabala City Stadium 4,500
Kapaz 1959 Ganja, Tovuz Tovuz City Stadium 6,500
Neftchi 1937 Baku Neftchi Arena 10,260
Qarabağ 1951 Aghdam, Baku Tofiq Bahramov Stadium 31,200
Sabah 2017 Absheron Bank Respublika Arena 8,600
Sabail 2016 Sabail, Baku ASCO Arena 3,200
Sumgayit 2010 Sumgait Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium 8,700
Turan Tovuz 1992 Tovuz Tovuz City Stadium 6,500
Zira 2014 Zira, Baku Zira Sport Complex 1,300

Stadiums

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Araz-Naxçıvan Gabala Kapaz Qarabağ Neftçi
Dalga Arena Gabala City Stadium Ganja City Stadium Tofiq Bahramov Stadium Neftchi Arena
Capacity: 6,500 Capacity: 4,500 Capacity: 26,000 Capacity: 31,200 Capacity: 10,260
Sabah Sabail Sumgayit Turan Tovuz Zira
Bank Respublika Arena ASCO Arena Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium Tovuz City Stadium Zira Sport Complex
Capacity: 8,600 Capacity: 3,200 Capacity: 8,700 Capacity: 6,500 Capacity: 1,300

Personnel and kits

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Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Team President Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Araz-Naxçıvan Azerbaijan Ramin Akhundov Azerbaijan Elmar Bakhshiyev Bosnia and Herzegovina Numan Kurdić Italy Diadora Samaya Ltd
Gabala Azerbaijan Fariz Najafov Georgia (country) Kakhaber Tskhadadze Azerbaijan Asif Mammadov United States Capelli Sport Gilan & Knauf
Kapaz Azerbaijan Ilgar Nadiri Azerbaijan Azer Mammadov Azerbaijan Vurğun Hüseynov Spain Joma -
Neftçi Azerbaijan Kamran Guliyev Montenegro Miodrag Božović Azerbaijan Emin Mahmudov Italy Erreà SOCAR
Qarabağ Turkey Tahir Gozal Azerbaijan Gurban Gurbanov Azerbaijan Maksim Medvedev Germany Adidas Azersun
Sabah Azerbaijan Magsud Adigozalov Croatia Krunoslav Rendulić Azerbaijan Elvin Jamalov United States Nike Bank Respublika
Sabail Azerbaijan Abdulgani Nurmammadov Azerbaijan Shahin Diniyev Azerbaijan Aghabala Ramazanov Germany Adidas ASCO
Sumgayit Azerbaijan Riad Rafiyev Azerbaijan Samir Abbasov Azerbaijan Elvin Badalov Italy Macron Pasha Insurance[broken anchor], Azərikimya
Turan Tovuz Azerbaijan Ogtay Abdullayev Azerbaijan Aykhan Abbasov Azerbaijan Kamal Bayramov Germany Jako Huner Group
Zira Azerbaijan Taleh Nasibov Azerbaijan Rashad Sadygov Azerbaijan Qismət Alıyev Spain Joma Nar, Azfargroup

Managerial changes

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Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Araz-Naxçıvan Pre-season Azerbaijan Azer Baghirov 17 July 2023[4]
Kapaz Azerbaijan Tarlan Ahmadov Azerbaijan Azer Mammadov 12 June 2023[5]
Neftçi Romania Laurențiu Reghecampf Mutual Agreement 21 June 2023[6] Romania Adrian Mutu 11 July 2023[7]
Romania Adrian Mutu 24 December 2023[8] 3rd Montenegro Miodrag Božović 24 December 2023[9]
Sabah Russia Murad Musayev Resignation 1 February 2024[10] 7th Azerbaijan Ruslan Qafitullin (Acting) 1 February 2024
Gabala Azerbaijan Elmar Bakhshiyev 24 February 2024[11] 10th Georgia (country) Kakhaber Tskhadadze 25 February 2024[12]
Sabah Azerbaijan Ruslan Qafitullin (Acting) End of contract 5 March 2024 6th Croatia Krunoslav Rendulić 5 March 2024[13]

Foreign players

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Each team can use only seven foreign players on the field in each game.

Club Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Player 5 Player 6 Player 7 Player 8 Player 9 Player 10 Player 11 Player 12 Player 13 Player 14 Player 15 Left during the season
Araz-Naxçıvan Belgium Ismail Azzaoui Bosnia and Herzegovina Semir Bukvić Bosnia and Herzegovina Numan Kurdić Bosnia and Herzegovina Mićo Kuzmanović Brazil Wanderson Maranhão Brazil Igor Ribeiro Democratic Republic of the Congo Elvis Mashike Sukisa France Axel Ngando Ghana Mohammed Kadiri Moldova Cristian Avram Portugal Nuno Rodrigues Russia Ildar Alekperov Ukraine Tugay Alizada
Gabala Cameroon Christophe Atangana Brazil Lucas Áfrico France Bilel Aouacheria Ghana Samuel Tetteh Israel Osama Khalaila Morocco Ayyoub Allach Mozambique Clésio Nigeria Ahmed Isaiah Togo Yaovi Akakpo Ukraine Zurab Ochihava Jordan Omar Hani
Israel Gilad Avramov
Israel Fares Abu Akel
Kapaz Belarus Yegor Khvalko Belarus Vladislav Vasilyuchek Brazil Martin Júnior Georgia (country) Mate Kvirkvia Georgia (country) Giorgi Papunashvili Nigeria Olawale Onanuga Senegal Latyr Fall Portugal Igor Rodrigues Mali Adama Niane Nigeria Abdullahi Shuaibu
Neftçi Argentina Lucas Melano Belarus Yegor Bogomolsky Brazil Andre Shinyashiki Brazil Yuri Matias Colombia Brayan Moreno Croatia Ivan Brkić Hungary Márk Tamás Ivory Coast Erwin Koffi State of Palestine Ataa Jaber Paraguay Mudo Valdez Russia Reziuan Mirzov Collectivity of Saint Martin Keelan Lebon Sierra Leone Alpha Conteh United States Kenny Saief
Nigeria Aaron Samuel Olanare
Qarabağ Albania Redon Xhixha Algeria Yassine Benzia Brazil Juninho Brazil Júlio Romão Brazil Matheus Silva Cape Verde Leandro Andrade Cape Verde Patrick Andrade Colombia Kevin Medina France Adama Diakhaby France Hamidou Keyta France Abdellah Zoubir Georgia (country) Luka Gugeshashvili Montenegro Marko Janković Montenegro Marko Vešović Russia Andrey Lunyov
Sabah Bosnia and Herzegovina Bojan Letić Brazil Christian Russia Ayaz Guliyev Curaçao Jearl Margaritha Georgia (country) Davit Volkovi Nigeria Jesse Sekidika Jamaica Kaheem Parris Luxembourg Vincent Thill Morocco Sofian Chakla Nigeria Emmanuel Apeh Spain Cristian Ceballos Spain Jon Irazabal Morocco Marouane Hadhoudi Algeria Ishak Belfodil Russia Ildar Alekperov
Sabail Angola Paná Bosnia and Herzegovina Adi Mehremić France Sylvain Deslandes Guinea-Bissau David Gomis Guinea-Bissau Madi Queta Israel Nir Bardea Israel Yadin Lugasi Kenya Ayub Masika Madagascar Alexandre Ramalingom Netherlands Anass Najah Portugal Pedro Nuno Serbia Matija Ljujić
Sumgayit Brazil Octávio Burundi Trésor Mossi Cape Verde Steven Pereira Chad Casimir Ninga Ecuador Jordan Rezabala Estonia Erik Sorga Israel Roi Kahat Ivory Coast Abou Dosso Japan Masaki Murata North Macedonia Kristijan Velinovski Pakistan Easah Suliman North Macedonia Todor Todoroski
Turan Tovuz Albania Belajdi Pusi Brazil Alex Souza Brazil Brunão Brazil Pachu Bulgaria Martin Petkov Georgia (country) Piruz Marakvelidze Moldova Denis Marandici Nigeria Otto John Panama Roderick Miller Russia Aykhan Guseynov Spain Álex Serrano Togo Emmanuel Hackman
Zira Brazil Filipe Pachtmann Brazil Ruan Renato Brazil Raphael Utzig Greece Dimitrios Chantakias Guinea Salifou Soumah Ivory Coast Stephane Acka Ivory Coast Pierre Zebli Niger Issa Djibrilla Nigeria Abbas Ibrahim Ukraine Vladyslav Kulach Ukraine Eldar Kuliyev Portugal Tiago Silva Guinea-Bissau Toni Gomes
Serbia Andrija Luković

In italics:' Players that are on loan from another APL side.
In bold: Players that have been capped for their national team.

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Qarabağ (C) 36 26 5 5 97 37 +60 83 Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round
2 Zira 36 16 10 10 33 22 +11 58[a] Qualification for the Europa League first qualifying round[b]
3 Sabah 36 17 7 12 50 40 +10 58[a] Qualification for the Conference League second qualifying round
4 Sumgayit 36 15 12 9 37 38 −1 57
5 Neftçi 36 16 8 12 51 40 +11 56
6 Turan Tovuz 36 13 9 14 53 53 0 48
7 Sabail 36 11 9 16 50 60 −10 42
8 Araz-Naxçıvan 36 9 9 18 31 50 −19 36
9 Kapaz 36 9 8 19 39 67 −28 35
10 Gabala (R) 36 7 5 24 30 64 −34 26 Relegation to Azerbaijan First Division
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored.[14]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Zira are ahead of Sabah on head-to-head points: Zira 1–0 Sabah, Sabah 0–1 Zira, Zira 0–1 Sabah, Sabah 0–1 Zira
  2. ^ The 2023–24 Azerbaijan Cup winners qualified for the Europa League first qualifying round. Since the cup winners (Qarabağ) qualified based on league position, the Europa League spot was passed to the second-placed team, and the second Conference League second round spot was passed to the fourth-placed team.

Fixtures and results

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Clubs play each other four times for a total of 36 matches each.

Home \ Away ARA GAB KAP NEF QAR SAB SEB SUM TUR ZIR ARA GAB KAP NEF QAR SAB SEB SUM TUR ZIR
Araz-Naxçıvan 2–0 0–1 1–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–3 1–0 1–1 1–2 1–0 2–2 0–1 0–2 1–1 0–1 0–3
Gabala 1–4 0–3 0–2 1–2 1–0 0–1 1–2 4–0 1–0 2–0 0–1 0–1 0–4 2–0 2–3 0–1 1–2 1–1
Kapaz 1–2 0–1 1–0 1–2 0–2 0–3 1–1 0–2 0–0 3–1 2–1 3–3 1–6 1–2 1–4 1–1 2–1 0–1
Neftçi 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–1 1–1 1–2 3–2 1–0 3–0 3–1 5–1 1–4 0–1 3–0 1–1 3–0 1–0
Qarabağ 2–1 3–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 5–0 3–0 0–1 3–1 2–2 7–1 5–0 3–3 4–2 2–0 4–3 3–1
Sabah 1–1 5–0 2–2 1–1 1–2 4–0 3–1 0–3 0–1 2–0 2–1 3–2 0–0 3–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–1
Sabail 1–0 3–0 0–0 2–4 2–1 2–2 1–4 2–1 1–2 2–2 2–3 3–3 0–3 1–2 2–0 0–1 1–1 0–0
Sumgayit 2–0 0–0 1–0 0–1 1–6 1–0 1–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 1–0 1–3 2–1 1–0 1–2 2–1 0–0 0–0
Turan Tovuz 3–1 2–2 4–0 0–1 2–2 2–3 1–3 2–2 1–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 3–1 1–4 1–2
Zira 0–0 1–0 1–0 1–1 0–1 1–0 2–2 1–0 2–1 0–1 4–0 2–1 3–1 0–1 0–1 1–0 0–0 1–1
Source: soccerway.com
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Season statistics

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As of match played 26 May 2024

Top scorers

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Rank Player Club Goals[15]
1 Brazil Juninho Qarabağ 20
2 Madagascar Alexandre Ramalingom Sabail 15
3 Algeria Yassine Benzia Qarabağ 12
Azerbaijan Nariman Akhundzade
5 Cape Verde Leandro Andrade 11
6 Azerbaijan Toral Bayramov 10
Portugal Pedro Nuno Sabail
8 Azerbaijan Orkhan Aliyev Araz-Naxçıvan 9
Nigeria Otto John Turan Tovuz
Israel Osama Khalaila Gabala

Hat-tricks

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Player For Against Result Date Ref
Algeria Yassine Benzia Qarabağ Kapaz 7–1 (H) 4 November 2023 [16]
Georgia (country) Davit Volkov Sabah Turan Tovuz 2–3 (A) 11 November 2023 [17]
France Bilel Aouacheria Gabala 4–0 (H) 25 November 2023 [18]
Azerbaijan Filip Ozobić Neftçi Kapaz 3–3 (A) 9 March 2024 [19]
Brazil Andre Shinyashiki 5–1 (H) 10 May 2024 [20]

Own goals

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Clean sheets

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As of match played 25 May 2024
Rank Player Club Clean sheets
1 Portugal Tiago Silva Zira 17
2 Azerbaijan Mekhti Dzhenetov Sumgayit 13
3 Azerbaijan Rza Jafarov Neftçi 9
Azerbaijan Aydın Bayramov Turan Tovuz
5 Azerbaijan Yusif Imanov Sabah 8
6 Moldova Cristian Avram Araz-Naxçıvan 7
7 Azerbaijan Səlahət Ağayev Sabail 6
Russia Andrey Lunyov Qarabağ
Azerbaijan Rashad Azizli Gabala
Croatia Ivan Brkić Neftçi

Rza Jafarov & Ivan Brkić both played in Neftçi's 2-0 victory over Gabala on 27 August 2023
Nijat Mehbaliyev & Yusif Imanov both played in Sabah's 4-0 victory over Sabail on 10 December 2023

Discipline

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Red cards

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As of match played 25 May 2024

Attendances

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Pos Team Total High Low Average Change
1 Turan Tovuz 73,900 6,000 1,500 4,106 n/a
2 Sumgayit 51,516 9,300 800 2,862 n/a
3 Neftçi 31,321 6,900 400 1,740 n/a
4 Sabah 26,997 4,300 1,100 1,500 n/a
5 Qarabağ 22,628 4,500 300 1,257 n/a
6 Zira 20,200 1,200 450 1,122 n/a
7 Kapaz 14,615 3,000 500 812 n/a
8 Sabail 14,190 2,400 200 788 n/a
9 Gabala 10,730 1,500 250 596 n/a
10 Araz-Naxçıvan 10,390 1,000 120 577 n/a
League total 276,487 9,300 120 1,536 n/a

Updated to games played on 26 May 2024.[21]
Source: [22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Azərbaycan Peşəkar Liqası (in Azerbaijani)
  2. ^ "Qəbələ – 10". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  3. ^ Establishment of SC Qabala Archived 23 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Məşqçilər korpusu ilə müqavilə imzalandı". arazpfk.com/ (in Azerbaijani). Araz-Naxçıvan PFK. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Azər Məmmədovla müqavilə imzalanıb". kepezpfcofficial/ (in Azerbaijani). Kapaz PFK Facebook. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Baş məşqçi və köməkçiləri ilə yollar ayrıldı". neftchi.az (in Azerbaijani). Neftçi PFK. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Adrian Mutu "Neftçi"nin baş məşqçisi təyin olunub". neftchi.az (in Azerbaijani). Neftçi PFK. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  8. ^ ""Neftçi" PFK-nın bəyanatı". neftchi.az (in Azerbaijani). Neftçi PFK. 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  9. ^ ""Neftçi" PFK-ya yeni baş məşqçi təyin olundu". neftchi.az (in Azerbaijani). Neftçi PFK. 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Komandamızın baş məşqçisi Murad Musayev və klub rəhbərliyi arasında görüş keçirilib". facebook.com/sabahfc.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Sabah FC Facebook. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  11. ^ ""Qəbələ" Elmar Baxşıyevlə yollarını ayırdı". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Kaxaber Tsxadadze "Qəbələ"də". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  13. ^ ""Sabah"da yeni baş məşqçi təyinatı rəsmiləşib". facebook.com/sabahfc.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Sabah FC Facebook. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Premyer Liqa: Season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  15. ^ "Premier League – Top Scorers". soccer24.com. Soccer24. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Qarabağ 7-1 Kapaz". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Turan Tovuz 2-3 Sabah". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 11 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Gabala 4-0 Turan Tovuz". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 25 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Kapaz 3-3 Neftçi". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  20. ^ "Neftçi 5-1 Kapaz". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Azərbaycan Premyer Liqası: İlk yarının azarkeş mənzərəsi - ARAŞDIRMA" (in Azerbaijani). report.az. 26 December 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  22. ^ "Canlı nəticələr" (in Azerbaijani). pfl.az. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
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