Match Overview

The 13th round match of the PARI FNL League (Russian First League) between Fakel and Volga will take place on October 4th at Fakel Stadium. Here’s our prediction and betting tip, including odds and statistics.

Fakel Team Analysis

In the previous round, the team failed to break the resistance of Chaika at home (0:0). Voronezh did not win in their third consecutive championship match (2 draws, 1 loss), however, the club kept a clean sheet for the seventh time in FNL 2025/26, a record unmatched by any other team. It is worth noting that in the game against Peschanokopsk, Fakel registered 6 shots on target (averaging 3.7 per game) but could not score. Nevertheless, the team has scored in 9 out of their last 12 First League matches. In the standings, Voronezh is currently in 3rd place.

Coaching Change at Fakel

A change has occurred on Fakel’s coaching staff: Oleg Vasilenko has been appointed instead of Igor Shalimov.

Fakel Key Statistics

• No more than two goals were scored in 8 previous matches of Voronezh in the First League.
• At home in this tournament, the club has won 8 of its last 9 matches (1 draw).
• In 7 out of 8 previous home matches in the FNL, Fakel scored exactly 1 goal.

Fakel Provisional Lineup (4-3-3)

Daniil Frolkin – Igor Yurganov, Stanislav Magkeev, Ilya Gaponov, Vasily Cherov – Abdula Bagamaev, Butta Magomedov, Ravil Netfullin – Georgy Gongadze, Merabi Uridiya, Belaidi Poussi.

Volga Team Analysis

In the previous round, Ulyanovsk managed to take points from Spartak away (1:1). Volga has only one win in their last five championship matches (2 draws, 2 losses). However, in 4 of these matches, Mikhail Belov’s team managed to score. Volga themselves have conceded goals in 7 consecutive First League matches, allowing at least two goals in 4 of those games. In the overall standings, the team climbed to 12th place.

Volga Key Statistics

• At least one goal was scored in both halves in 6 out of 7 previous FNL games involving Ulyanovsk.
• Away from home, the team has not won in 6 out of their last 7 First League matches (3 draws, 3 losses).
• In 5 out of 6 previous away championship games, Volga conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals.

Volga Provisional Lineup (4-3-3)

Vladimir Shaykhutdinov – Kamil Ibragimov, Konstantin Kovalev, Aidar Khabibullin, Oleg Krasilnichenko – Danil Novikov, Mikhail Umnikov, Denis Rakhmanov – Vladislav Rudenko, Evgeny Voronin, Georgy Uridiya.

Referee Review

Kirill Silantyev (Russia)

Referee Statistics

Matches – 5 (First League, 2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 20;

Average yellow cards per match – 4;

Red cards shown – 1;

Average fouls per match – 25;

Penalties awarded – 20%.

Match Prediction: Fakel vs Volga

Fakel’s Offensive Potential

Among the teams in the top half of the standings, only Shinnik has scored fewer goals than Voronezh. However, Fakel’s scoring ability is expected to increase soon. This isn’t just due to the team’s potential to score more than one effective shot. The appointment of the new head coach should shift the team’s play towards a more attacking style. Under Oleg Vasilenko, Chernomorets delighted fans with goals last season, ranking among the top three in terms of scoring efficiency.

Volga’s Defensive Vulnerabilities

The first opponent for the new-look Fakel will be Volga, a team that has conceded more goals than all but Chaika. Away from home in the current championship, Ulyanovsk has yet to keep a clean sheet, conceding 11 goals during this period. The upcoming match is unlikely to be an exception.

Our Betting Tip

Voronezh, having won 8 of their last 9 home matches in the FNL, should secure another victory. My prediction: “Fakel Win and Over 1.5 Goals” with odds 2.05