Persik Kediri — Persebaya : Match Preview and Prediction for November 07,2025

Venue Disadvantage for Persik Kediri

The crucial element for this encounter is the match venue. Although “Persik” is technically the home side, they will be forced to play at a neutral ground in Gresik. Their usual home stadium, “Brawijaya,” was denied authorization to host the game due to safety concerns. Coach Ong Kim Swee explicitly stated that the team has lost a significant amount of energy from their home crowd’s support. This isn’t merely an observation; it’s a clear statement of fact: the team is deprived of its primary advantage.

Lack of Home Support

Further compounding this issue is the limited ticket availability. For a stadium with a capacity of 40,000, only approximately six to seven thousand tickets have been sold. This will create an atmosphere more akin to an exhibition match than a passionate East Java derby. Without roaring stands, the attacking impetus of the “White Tigers” will be significantly diminished.

Persik Kediri’s Recent Form and Disciplinary Woes

Let’s now consider their current form. “Persik” has failed to secure a victory in their last three outings, recording two losses and one draw. Their most recent fixture saw them fall 1-2 to PSIM Yogyakarta. However, the primary concern isn’t just the results, but rather their disciplinary record. In the last two rounds, the team received two red cards, both for right-back positions. Novri Setiawan and Henhen Herdiana will consequently miss the upcoming match. This forces the coach to hastily reconfigure the defensive line, a situation that rarely benefits offensive play. Ong Kim Swee himself is demanding maximum concentration from his players and urging them to avoid conceding an early goal, indicating a preference for a cautious tactical approach.

Persebaya’s Low-Scoring Tendency

Now, turning our attention to the visitors. “Persebaya” is essentially a walking testament to low-scoring football, particularly when playing away from home. The statistics are unequivocal: in 9 out of Persebaya’s last 10 away matches, no more than two goals were scored. The broader trend is equally telling: 13 of their previous 18 games concluded with under 2.5 goals. This isn’t mere coincidence; it’s a consistent pattern.

Struggling Attacking Statistics

This pattern is further reinforced by their attacking metrics this season. Consider these figures: the team ranks last, 18th in the league, for both shots per match and the number of corners taken. For crosses, they also sit in 18th place. Simply put, the team fails to generate sufficient scoring opportunities to anticipate a goalfest.

Goal-Scoring Challenges and Coach’s Cautious Stance

Furthermore, “Persebaya” holds the second-highest number of matches in the league where they scored fewer than one goal – occurring in 6 of their 9 past encounters. Their recent 2-1 victory over “Persis Solo” in the last round should not be misleading. Coach Eduardo Perez himself acknowledged that the game was tough and the team was under immense pressure. Moreover, his primary directive for the derby is discipline and caution, aiming to avoid unnecessary cards. This sends a clear signal that “Persebaya” will not be charging forward recklessly.