Liam Duckstein
Qarabag and FC Kharkiv Metalist 1925 meet at Brann Stadion in Bergen on July 1, 2026, in what is the second straight summer friendly between these two clubs. Last year’s meeting ended in a 4-5 Metalist win, which makes this rematch far more interesting than a typical pre-season fixture. Qarabag head into this one as the stronger-ranked side and arrive with a 4-0 win over Tirol as their most recent result, while Metalist have been playing out a string of draws in their domestic setup ahead of this trip.
Qarabag’s attacking midfielder depth under Qurban Qurbanov has always been a strength, and whoever leads the press against Metalist’s midfield will be key to dictating tempo. For Mladen Bartulovic’s side, the forward who broke the deadlock against Polissya recently will need to carry that form into Bergen if Metalist are to repeat their 2025 result.
Hot stat: Qarabag scored four goals in their most recent outing against Tirol, yet their four previous matches produced a combined score of 0-0 across all four games — a striking contrast that suggests their attack can fire when the opposition quality rises.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Club Friendly 2026, July Phase |
| 🏟 Venue: | Brann Stadion, Bergen |
| 🗓️ Date: | 01.07.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 13:00 CEST |
Qarabag vs FC Kharkiv Metalist 1925 Prediction
Qarabag are the significantly higher-ranked side at world club level and enter this match with genuine match sharpness after their 4-0 dismantling of Tirol. Metalist, on the other hand, have not played a single competitive minute in the last 30 days based on available data, which is a real concern heading into a match of this nature.
The head-to-head from last July showed both teams were capable of scoring freely — nine goals across 90 minutes is not a small sample. Bookmakers at that time gave Qarabag a 56% win probability, and the game still ended in a Metalist win. That unpredictability is worth keeping in mind, but the pre-match conditions this year favor Qarabag more clearly.
We predict a Qarabag win and expect goals from both sides given the attacking nature of both squads in friendly conditions. Metalist’s recent domestic form shows a heavy lean toward draws, but friendlies tend to open up more, and Qarabag’s fresh legs and goal-scoring momentum make them the logical pick to take this one.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Qarabag to score in both halves |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Qarabag’s recent five-match run tells two very different stories. The 4-0 win over Tirol on the most recent matchday was emphatic and showed the Azerbaijani side’s ability to put a team to the sword when the conditions are right. The four matches before that, all against domestic Azerbaijani opposition, ended 0-0 — Sumqayit, Imishli, Gabala, and Turan were all held scoreless. That run of goalless draws points to a deliberate tactical approach in domestic competition rather than a lack of quality. Qurbanov’s side clearly saves its best for higher-profile fixtures, which bodes well here.
FC Kharkiv Metalist 1925 arrive in Bergen with question marks around their preparation. Their last five recorded matches all finished 0-0 except for a 0-1 defeat to Polissya, which is their only result with a goal across that entire stretch. Draws against Veres, Epitsentr, Karpaty Lviv, and Zorya suggest a team that is organized defensively but struggles to convert. Bartulovic’s side has a 40% win rate this year from 25 matches, which is decent but not exceptional. Their form string also shows a heavy concentration of draws in recent weeks, which may reflect a cautious approach ahead of pre-season travel.
🚨Check out our dedicated Qarabag vs FC Kharkiv Metalist 1925 stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Qarabag the Favourite
No bookmaker odds were available at the time of writing for this fixture. Based on the one previous head-to-head meeting, bookmakers assigned Qarabag a 56% win probability, a 22% chance of a draw, and a 23% chance of a Metalist win. Given how that match played out — a 4-5 loss for Qarabag — the market underestimated Metalist’s attacking threat.
- Moneyline Qarabag N/A | FC Kharkiv Metalist 1925 N/A
- Draw N/A
- Over/Under Over 2.5 N/A | Under 2.5 N/A
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes N/A | No N/A
With no current odds available, we base our value assessment on last year’s implied probabilities. Qarabag should be installed as clear favorites again, and given their match fitness advantage, anything above 1.80 on a Qarabag win would represent reasonable value once markets open.
Possible Starting Lineups
Qarabag Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev
- DF: Bahlul Mustafazade, Maksim Medvedev, Kevin Medina, Qara Qarayev
- MF: Elvin Jafarguliyev, Abdellah Zoubir, Marko Jankovic
- FW: Tural Bayramov, Mahir Emreli, Owusu Kwabena
Qurbanov typically sets his side up in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 shape, and for a friendly of this nature, we expect a strong starting lineup given the recent 4-0 win suggests the squad is in good shape. Mahir Emreli is the forward to watch — he carries a direct goal threat and will test Metalist’s center-backs early. Abdellah Zoubir in the middle provides creativity and press resistance, and his ability to link the lines will be central to how Qarabag control possession.
FC Kharkiv Metalist 1925 Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Oleksandr Bandura
- DF: Artem Favorov, Vladyslav Kulach, Dmytro Hrechyshkin, Oleksandr Pikhalyonok
- MF: Yevhen Sakhnevych, Artem Polyarus, Mykyta Kamenyuka
- FW: Vladyslav Kochergin, Vladyslav Supryaha, Andriy Boryachuk
Bartulovic has leaned on a 4-3-3 structure through much of the season, and we expect that to continue here. Vladyslav Supryaha is the most dangerous attacker in this squad and was the difference-maker in last year’s 5-4 win. If he starts and finds space in behind Qarabag’s defensive line, Metalist can cause real damage. The question is whether this squad arrives in Bergen with enough competitive sharpness after an apparent break in fixtures.
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FC Kharkiv Metalist 1925. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
TipsGG Match Prediction
This is not a match to approach with certainty, but the available evidence points clearly in one direction. Qarabag are match-fit, recently scored four goals in a single game, and carry a meaningfully higher world ranking than their opponents. Metalist have been grinding through draws and carry fitness doubts into this fixture.
The one previous meeting between these clubs produced nine goals and a Metalist win against the odds. We are not ignoring that result, but conditions were different. Qarabag’s preparation this summer looks sharper, and playing in Bergen on neutral ground removes any home advantage Metalist might otherwise enjoy.
We predict a Qarabag win with both teams scoring, and Over 2.5 goals is our primary market recommendation. The 4-0 scoreline against Tirol shows Qarabag can be ruthless when they click, and Metalist’s attack, led by Supryaha, will likely find at least one opening. A scoreline in the region of 3-1 or 2-1 to Qarabag feels like the most probable outcome.
