Match Overview

The 11th-round match of the (FNL) between Volga and Neftekhimik is scheduled for September 20 at the Trud Stadium in Ulyanovsk. Here is our comprehensive prediction, including betting odds and key statistics for the Volga vs Neftekhimik encounter.

Volga Team Analysis

Volga

The Ulyanovsk squad secured an away victory against Torpedo (3:2) in the previous round. This win marked only their third in the current championship season (along with 2 draws and 5 losses), and their first on the road. Prior to facing the Moscow team, Mikhail Belov’s players had not scored more than two goals in the FNL 2025/26 campaign. Additionally, Volga has conceded goals in 5 consecutive matches in this tournament. The club has now risen to 10th place in the overall standings.

Volga Key Statistics

• At least one goal was scored in both halves in 4 of Volga’s last 5 First League games.
• The team has failed to win in 5 of their last 7 home matches in the FNL (1 draw, 4 losses).
• In 6 of their last 7 home championship fixtures, Volga conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals.

Volga Predicted Lineup

Volga’s Provisional Starting XI (3-4-3)

Aleksey Kenyaykin – Kamil Ibragimov, Konstantin Kovalev, Oleg Krasilnichenko – Danil Novikov, Mikhail Umnikov, Ruslan Shagiakhmetov, Denis Rakhmanov – Dmitriy Kamenshchikov, Artur Murza, Evgeniy Voronin.

Neftekhimik Team Analysis

Neftekhimik

Thanks to their victory over Yenisey (1:0) in the previous round, Neftekhimik broke a 5-match winless streak in the championship (2 draws, 3 losses). Notably, the team only failed to score in one match during this period. In the game against Krasnoyarsk, Kirill Novikov’s side managed 7 shots on target, more than doubling their average for this metric. In the league table, Neftekhimik occupies the 11th position, holding a 5-point advantage over the relegation zone.

Neftekhimik Key Statistics

• The club has not conceded more than one goal in 9 of its last 11 matches in the FNL.
• Neftekhimik has not won 8 of its last 10 away matches in the championship (3 draws, 5 losses).
• The team conceded the first goal in 5 of its last 7 away matches in this tournament.

Neftekhimik Predicted Lineup

Neftekhimik’s Provisional Starting XI (4-3-3)

Timofey Kashintsev – Nikolay Tolstopyatov, Eduard Valiakhmetov, Maksim Shiryaev, Marat Sitdikov – Giorgi Kantaria, David Kokoev, Konstantin Shiltsov – Ivan Bober, Rashid Magomedov, Sultan Dzhamilov.

Match Referee Profile

Referee

Yaroslav Khromey (Russia)

Referee Statistics

Matches officiated – 14 (First League, 2024/25 – 2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 60;

Average yellow cards per match – 4.3;

Red cards shown – 1;

Average fouls per match – 24;

Penalties awarded – 21%.

Volga vs Neftekhimik Match Forecast

Forecast for the Match Volga – Neftekhimik

After the last round, the Ulyanovsk side reached a double-digit number of goals scored. However, the team is also on the verge of conceding thirty goals. Mikhail Belov’s team has 16 goals against them, with only Chayka (22) having a worse defensive record. Volga has failed to keep a clean sheet in 5 consecutive championship matches, and at home, the club has conceded in 6 of its last 7 FNL games, with at least two goals conceded in 3 of those encounters.

Neftekhimik, though not scoring prolifically, does so consistently. Kirill Novikov’s team has found the net in 7 of their last 8 First League matches. The only opponent in this stretch whose goal they failed to penetrate was Fakel. It is worth noting that Voronezh boasts the second most reliable defense in the tournament. Given Volga’s defensive vulnerabilities, Neftekhimik will undoubtedly have opportunities to score.

Our Betting Pick

This is another factor supporting our prediction: Neftekhimik Total Goals Over 0.5 with odds of 1.52