Match Overview

This 12th-round clash in the PARI First League (FNL) will see Neftekhimik face Arsenal Tula on September 29 at the Neftekhimik Stadium in Nizhnekamsk. Here’s a detailed match preview including a prediction, betting odds, and key statistics for Neftekhimik – Arsenal Tula.

Neftekhimik Team Analysis

Neftekhimik is showing signs of recovery. Following a challenging five-match winless run in the league (comprising two draws and three defeats), the Nizhnekamsk side has secured victories in their last two outings, overcoming Yenisey (1:0) and Volga (4:1). Notably, their dominant 4:1 win against Volga marked only the second time Kirill Novikov’s men have scored more than one goal in the FNL 2025/26 season. Despite this, Neftekhimik has found the back of the net in five consecutive matches in the competition, climbing to 10th position in the overall standings.

• Neftekhimik’s defense has been vulnerable, conceding in six of their last seven First League encounters.
• Their home form has been poor, with the team failing to win in eight of their previous nine FNL matches on home soil (five draws, three losses).
• Offensively, Neftekhimik has struggled at home, scoring more than one goal in none of their last nine championship games played at their stadium.

Neftekhimik Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Timofey Kashintsev – Nikolay Tolstopyatov, Eduard Valiakhmetov, Maxim Shiryaev, Dmitry Shadrintsev – Ivan Bober, David Kokoev, Konstantin Shiltsov – Daniil Rodin, Andrey Nikitin, Sultan Dzhamilov.

Arsenal Tula Team Analysis

Dmitry Gunko’s Arsenal Tula recently shared points in a 2:2 home draw against Ufa. Over their last five league fixtures, the Tula side has managed just a single victory (along with one draw and three defeats), even conceding a goal in that winning effort. Furthermore, Arsenal has secured only one clean sheet throughout the FNL 2025/26 season, a statistic worse than only Chernomorets. In their recent clash with Ufa, the club registered an impressive 14 corners, significantly above their average of 6.6. Currently, Arsenal Tula occupies the 8th spot in the league table.

• Goals from both sides have been a common theme in Arsenal’s games, occurring in nine of their last eleven First League matches.
• Their away record is concerning, with no wins in 18 of their last 21 championship road trips (ten draws, eight losses).
• When playing away, Arsenal has consistently scored either one or two goals in six of their last eight tournament fixtures.

Arsenal Tula Predicted Lineup (4-5-1)

Mikhail Tsulaya – Kirill Bolshakov, Alexey Berdnikov, Nikita Karmaev, Daniil Penchikov – Danil Lipovoy, Nikita Razdorskikh, Milos Brnovic, Edarlin Reyes, Alan Tsaraev – Amur Kalmykov.

Referee Profile

Oleg Sokolov (Russia)

Oleg Sokolov (Russia) will officiate the match. His record across 15 First League matches (2024/25 – 2025/26 seasons) includes 54 yellow cards issued (averaging 3.6 per game) and no red cards. He has awarded an average of 23 fouls per match, with 33% of his matches featuring a penalty.

Neftekhimik vs Arsenal Tula Match Prediction

While Neftekhimik typically adopts a conservative approach in attack, the team is currently on a five-match scoring streak in the league, a feat not seen since the 2023/24 season. Furthermore, in their two most recent fixtures, Kirill Novikov’s squad displayed remarkable offensive intensity, registering 14 shots on target – a stark contrast to their average of 2.7 in other matches. However, this attacking prowess has not been matched by defensive solidity, as Nizhnekamsk has secured a clean sheet in only one of their last seven FNL encounters.

Arsenal Tula’s defensive frailties have become even more pronounced. After recording an impressive 15 clean sheets last season, they have managed only one such performance a third of the way through the current campaign. This shift is attributed to Arsenal’s more attacking tactical approach under Dmitry Gunko, which has yielded positive results upfront. The club ranks among the top six in terms of goals scored in FNL 2025/26, having failed to score only once on the road against Fakel, and netting goals in seven consecutive away league matches prior to that.

Considering the recent offensive trends and defensive vulnerabilities of both sides, it’s highly probable that this match will feature multiple goals. My final prediction for this encounter is: Total Goals Over 1.5, offered at odds of 1.50.

Author: Alexey Tarabrin