Match Overview and Key Information

The Matchday 9 fixture in the PARI First League (FNL) features Shinnik taking on Volga at the Shinnik Stadium in Yaroslavl on September 7. This article provides a comprehensive match preview, including a prediction, recommended bet, key odds, and vital statistics for the Shinnik vs Volga encounter.

Shinnik’s Current Form and Scoring Woes

In their last outing, Shinnik played to a goalless draw away against Yenisey (0-0). This result extends their unbeaten streak in the league to four matches (2 wins, 2 draws), though it marked the first time during this run that Shinnik failed to find the net. Artem Buloychik’s squad generally struggles with goal-scoring, having netted just 5 goals in total, a tally surpassed only by Torpedo and Sokol (3 goals each). Currently, the team holds the 11th position in the league standings.

Shinnik’s Recent Statistics

• Fewer than three goals have been scored in 7 of Shinnik’s last 8 league matches.
• At home, Shinnik has failed to win in 5 of their last 6 First League fixtures (1 draw, 4 losses).
• In their last 6 home league matches, Shinnik has not scored more than once.

Shinnik’s Predicted Lineup (4-5-1)

Timofey Mitrov – Vadim Karpov, Kirill Malyarov, Nikita Bozov, Daniil Kornyushin – Artem Golubev, Oleg Lanin, Artem Malakhov, Dmitry Samoylov, Albek Gongapshev – Ruslan Kul.

Volga Ulyanovsk’s Performance Update

Volga Ulyanovsk dramatically snatched a draw against Chernomorets (1-1) in their last match, equalizing just moments before the final whistle. Mikhail Belov’s side has accumulated 8 points in the current championship campaign (2 wins, 2 draws), placing them 13th in the overall standings. Notably, Volga is the highest-scoring club among teams in the bottom half of the table, with 7 goals. Furthermore, in their match against Novorossiysk, Volga committed 19 fouls, significantly higher than their average of 13 per game.

Volga Ulyanovsk’s Key Stats

• Volga Ulyanovsk has scored in 6 of their last 8 FNL matches.
• Away from home, the team has not secured a victory in 12 of their last 13 league encounters (6 draws, 5 losses).
• At least one team has failed to score in 5 of Volga’s last 6 away matches in this tournament.

Volga Ulyanovsk’s Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Vladimir Shaykhutdinov – David Kakoev, Kamil Ibragimov, Konstantin Kovalev, Oleg Krasilnichenko – Danil Novikov, Mikhail Umnikov, Ruslan Shagiakhmetov – Vladislav Rudenko, Artur Murza, Vladislav Yakovlev.

Match Official: Vera Opeykina

Vera Opeykina (Russia) will be officiating the match. She has refereed 7 games in the First League across the 2024/25 – 2025/26 seasons. Her disciplinary record includes issuing 29 yellow cards (averaging 4.1 per match), 1 red card, and an average of 28 fouls per game. Penalties have been awarded in 14% of her matches.

Match Expectation: Low-Scoring Affair

Matches involving Shinnik are consistently among the lowest-scoring in the current championship, averaging just 1.5 goals per game. Their upcoming opponent, Volga, is unlikely to elevate this figure. The Ulyanovsk team has a modest attacking record, scoring more than one goal in only one of their last 10 FNL encounters. Furthermore, in the current season, Mikhail Belov’s charges convert a mere 18% of their goal-scoring opportunities, which is the third-lowest rate in the league. However, Volga’s defense has shown resilience, conceding more than one goal in only one of their last 7 away matches in the First League, that exception being against the FNL 2025/26 leader.

Shinnik’s Defensive Strength

Shinnik themselves have failed to score in 4 matches this season, and they’ve managed only two successful strikes in their last 6 home games in this competition. Yet, similar to their opponent, Artem Buloychik’s squad relies heavily on their defensive solidity. The team boasts two consecutive clean sheets in the First League, and only one club has managed to score more than once against Shinnik this season.

Final Prediction

Considering both teams’ offensive struggles and strong defensive records, the most compelling bet for this match is a low total. My prediction: Total Under 2.5 goals with odds of 1.50