LiontipsSKA vs. CSKA. KHL match prediction and bets
Command Analysis
Current form
The Army Men have just recently returned from an away tour and after a defeat to Dynamo Minsk (2:4) they started to score points. Alexander Nikishin and his teammates confidently beat Avtomobilist (5:2), coming back from a 1:2 deficit. The hosts turned the game around in the third period and scored four unanswered goals. In the last game, SKA won another comeback victory, this time over Neftekhimik (3:2, OT). Evgeny Kuznetsov converted a penalty shot in overtime and brought the St. Petersburg team their second point. Thus, Roman Rotenberg team is currently in second place in the Western Conference standings, with 21 points after 16 starts.
"Army Club" continues to score in huge quantities. As of today, the "red-blues" have 58 goals scored, which is 3.63 on average per game. At the same time, the "army men" are great at using the majority, upsetting their opponents in 24.6% of cases. However, SKA defense is one of the worst in the league, allowing almost three goals on average.
Disqualifications and injuries
Artem Zemchenok continues to recover from an injury he received earlier and will not be able to help his team in the derby.
Interesting trends for betting
- SKA takes 33 shots on goal per game
The hosts put a lot of pressure on the opposing goalkeepers and constantly shoot at the goal.
- The Army Men win 51.3% of faceoffs
The Red-Blues are doing well at the point and often win the puck for their teammates.
Current form
CSKA is heading to St. Petersburg after a defeat in Minsk (4:5, OT) in the debut game of the away series. Earlier, Ilya Vorobyov team had a series of disastrous matches on home ice, scoring only three points in four games. The Muscovites were routed by Metallurg (0:7) and Traktor (0:4), and some journalists started talking about the head coach frame-up, also criticizing goalie Ivan Prosvetov. The "red-blues" were able to pull themselves together and won dry against Salavat Yulaev (2:0) with Dmitry Gamzin in goal, but a day later they lost to Avtomobilist (3:4, OT). Such weak results affected the tournament position of the club from the capital. Nikita Nesterov team rolled back to fourth place in the West, having only 19 points after 16 games.
The "Koni" have a negative balance of goals scored and conceded - 47:48. This season they play terribly in the minority and concede in 22.6% of cases. The "Army Men" fail to play more disciplined, on average they violate the rules four times per match. The best scorer of the guests remains Vitaly Abramov, who scored 16 points (7+9) in the "goal+pass" system.
Disqualifications and injuries
Muscovites are heading to Saint Petersburg in optimal composition.
Interesting trends for betting
- CSKA allows more than 32 shots per game on average
The Army Men are weak in defense and are counting on the help of their goalkeepers.
- The Red-Blues make more than 14 power moves per match
The Muscovites try to keep their opponents on edge and use a lot of forceful techniques.
Trends
Bet 2nd period: CSKA will score
SKA has missed goals in the second period for four games in a row
1.62Bet 3rd period: total over 1.5 goals
In four out of five matches involving CSKA, the third periods were productive
Tip and bets
We believe that CSKA will be able to gather their strength and show good hockey in St. Petersburg. SKA plays terribly in defense and concedes a lot in every game. Roman Rotenberg team won all six matches last season, so the Muscovites will be maximally determined to win the next derby. We do not think that the hosts will have any cardinal advantage in terms of hockey quality. We suggest betting on a double chance of the second. Currently, the odds for such an outcome are extremely favorable.
Our prediction is that CSKA will not lose at 1.70
Bet on individual total
SKA concedes almost three goals per game on average, and plays even worse defense at home than on the road. The motivated Muscovites will try their best to take the victory away from St. Petersburg, but to do so, Ilya Vorobyov charges will have to score in any case. We believe that the visitors will be able to upset the St. Petersburg goalie at least three times.
Forecast - individual total CSKA 2.5 more goals for 2.00
Bet on total
Games in St. Petersburg are pleasing with their high scoring rate in the new season. On average, 6.88 goals are scored per game on the ice of SKA Arena and this trend is unlikely to be interrupted in the near future. Both teams have big problems in defense, compensating for them with good realization of moments. We believe that the first army derby of the season will be spectacular.
Forecast - total over 5.5 goals for 1.95
