Match Overview

The 17th-round match of the PARI First League (FNL) between Neftekhimik and SKA-Khabarovsk is scheduled for November 3rd at the Neftekhimik Stadium in Nizhnekamsk. This preview offers an in-depth analysis, betting predictions, and key statistics for the Neftekhimik vs. SKA-Khabarovsk encounter.

Neftekhimik Team Analysis

In their previous away fixture, Neftekhimik suffered a 2-3 defeat against Ufa. This extends their winless streak in the championship to four matches (two draws, two losses). Despite this, Kirill Novikov’s squad managed to find the net in three of those four games. Furthermore, Neftekhimik has scored in nine of their last ten First League outings. The club currently sits in 9th place overall, but notably, among the top half of the league table, they have conceded the most goals, with 20 against them.

Key Statistics for Neftekhimik

• Neftekhimik scored precisely 1 or 2 goals in 8 of their last 10 FNL matches.
• At home, the team has failed to secure a victory in 10 of their last 12 championship encounters (6 draws, 4 losses).
• The club opened the scoring in 4 of their last 5 home matches in this competition.

Neftekhimik Predicted Line-up (3-4-3)

Timofey Kashintsev – Nikolay Tolstopyatov, Eduard Valiakhmetov, Maxim Shiryaev – Ivan Bober, David Kokoev, Danila Sukhomlinov, Giorgi Kantariya – Daniil Rodin, Andrey Nikitin, Rashid Magomedov.

SKA-Khabarovsk Team Analysis

SKA-Khabarovsk, from the Far East, secured a crucial 1-0 home victory against league leaders Fakel in the previous round. This win marks their fourth in the last six First League matches (one draw, one loss). Notably, this was only the fourth clean sheet for Aleksey Poddubsky’s side in the current championship campaign. Against Voronezh, SKA-Khabarovsk fiercely defended their three points, committing 21 fouls, significantly higher than their average of 13. The club currently occupies 8th place in the league table, trailing the playoff zone by four points.

Key Statistics for SKA-Khabarovsk

• SKA-Khabarovsk scored in 5 of their last 7 FNL encounters.
• On the road in the championship, the team has an uncompromising six-match streak (2 wins, 4 losses). 
• In 5 of their last 7 away matches in this competition, the club conceded no more than one goal.

SKA-Khabarovsk Predicted Line-up (4-4-2)

Aleksey Kuznetsov – Konstantin Pliev, Egor Noskov, David Shavlokhov, Vladislav Masternoy – Sadyg Bagiev, Jordi Tur, Andrey Anisimov, Kamran Aliev – Dmitry Tsypchenko, Vladislav Bragin.

Match Official

Vladimir Shamara (Russia)

Referee Statistics

Matches officiated – 5 (First League, 2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 21;

Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;

Red cards shown – 2;

Average fouls per match – 23;

Penalties awarded – 20%.

Match Prediction: Neftekhimik vs. SKA-Khabarovsk

Neftekhimik’s Defensive Woes

Neftekhimik’s usually dependable defense has begun to show cracks. In their last three championship matches, Kirill Novikov’s charges have conceded 7 goals, allowing even Chayka, one of the tournament’s five least prolific teams, to score three times against them. Furthermore, Neftekhimik ranks fifth from the bottom for total goals conceded on home turf. However, it’s worth noting that the team also scores regularly, having found the net in nine of their last ten First League fixtures.

SKA-Khabarovsk’s Scoring Form

SKA-Khabarovsk also has no issues converting their chances. The team consistently scores against opponents even when playing away: in their last 14 FNL matches, the Far Easterners were kept scoreless on only three occasions. It’s also noteworthy that in the current championship, only three clubs have conceded in all of their away games, and SKA-Khabarovsk is one of them. 

Final Verdict

I anticipate an entertaining, high-scoring affair between these two teams. My prediction is: Total Goals Over 1.5