Ararat mount Armenian title challenge

An influx of Serbian talent has lifted FC Ararat Yerevan to the top of the Armenian table, but FC Pyunik remain in a strong position behind them.

Leading pack
The top two are starting to pull away from the chasing pack in Armenia, but for the moment, Ararat seem to hold the whip hand. They are four points clear at the top, although champions Pyunik have two games in hand, and have yet to lose against their main rivals. Despite Serbian coach Dušan Mijić having replaced Varujan Sukiasyan, Ararat continue to look like a dangerous side.

Fifth meeting
Ararat meet Pyunik for a fifth time this season on Sunday, with newly-arrived Serbian defender Slavko Vučkovič and striker Petar Asterič hoping to impress. In previous meetings, Ararat won away and drew at home in an Armenian Cup semi-final and earned a draw away in the league and a 4-3 triumph at home. However, this could prove to be their most significant meeting yet.

Young talent
Pyunik banked on young talent this season and put in a respectable performance in Europe, losing out to FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round following a win against Derry City FC in their opening fixture. However, their continued search for a goalkeeper to replace Armenian international Gevorg Kasparov may yet undermine their good work.

Goalkeeping changes
Since Kasparov moved to Iran, Pyunik have tried five goalkeepers without successfully settling on a permanent replacement. Grigor Melisketyan, Stanislav Khorkin, Zlatan Adrovich and Jeaofak Miller have all failed to pass muster in Yerevan whole Uruguayan custodian Javier Bordad is becoming renowned for lapses like the one that cost Pyunik a 2-1 defeat at FC Banants on 12 August.

Banants boost
Cup holders Banants are fourth, level with FC MIKA, but their changeable form has left them ten points behind the leaders. That win against Pyunik was a major lift for the club, who have signed goalkeeper Dmitry Pivovarenko, Czech defender Jan Jelínek and Uganda midfielder Noah Kasule, but was followed by a 2-1 defeat at struggling FC Ulis Yerevan. Bulgarian coach Nikolai Kostov may soon get the chance to improve things should he be offered a move to Banants.

Petrosyan's side
FC Gandzasar Kapan, led by former Pyunik boss Samvel Petrosyan, remain within touching distance of the top three after a run of three wins. "We will fight for a top-three finish," said assistant coach Abraham Khashmanyan. "I can't say which medals we will fight for but we are aiming at least a UEFA Intertoto Cup place. That would be good achievement for us."