On December 26, 2024, the arena at KRK "Uralets" in Yekaterinburg will be the stage for another thrilling KHL match, featuring local favorites Avtomobilist taking on Traktor from Chelyabinsk. The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:00 Moscow time.
Avtomobilist has had a rocky season, currently finding themselves at fifth place with 44 points from 36 matches. Although they started the season strong, recent performances have raised concerns about their consistency. After suffering several consecutive defeats, including two to Traktor earlier this season, they managed only one win out of their last seven matches. A highlight was their unexpected victory against KHL leaders Lokomotiv, winning 3-1, but they fell short against Severstal with a narrow 2-3 loss.
Meanwhile, Traktor has claimed the top position in the Eastern Conference, amassing 52 points from 38 matches. Although they faced setbacks, the team has shown resilience, winning against Barys twice recently and maintaining their status as the conference’s leading team. Their latest win against Lokomotiv, showing strong offense, keeps them just two points clear of their nearest competitor, Salavat Yulaev.
This matchup is particularly significant for both teams. Avtomobilist needs points to climb back up the standings, hoping to regain their early-season form. Coach Nikolai Zavarykhin’s squad is banking on the return of their key players, including captain Anatoly Golyshev, who has been pivotal after recovering from injury and recently contributed to his team’s scores.
Traktor’s coach, Benoit Grou, will also be focusing on their recent performance. The team has been inconsistent lately but is entering the game on the back of two consecutive victories. Chelyabinsk's top scorer, Maxim Shabanov, is expected to play a key role, having recently shone with his ability to accumulate points and lead the offensive charge.
The head-to-head encounter has proven competitive this season. They have clashed four times, with Avtomobilist winning the first two encounters, only for Traktor to bounce back and take the last two matchups, bringing the series to 2-2. These games have been high-scoring, averaging over six goals per match, sparking interest among fans and analysts alike.
Betting odds reflect the competitive nature of the match. According to various sportsbooks, Traktor is the favorite with odds around 2.60 for victory, compared to Avtomobilist’s odds of 2.70. Predictions are leaning toward Traktor securing the win, shown by their superior position and the momentum from their recent games. Contrastingly, Avtomobilist's defensive frailties present opportunities for Traktor to exploit.
Considering both teams' recent scoring trends, analysts suggest placing bets on total goals exceeding 4.5, which is currently pegged at 1.75 odds among bookmakers. The expectation of a high-scoring game is bolstered by both teams’ recent ability to net multiple goals and illustrated by their previous contests this season.
Experts also advise betting on 'both teams to score more than 1.5 goals,' with enticing odds of 1.95. Given the historical performance of both teams, this bet seems promising as Avtomobilist has often managed to score against Traktor, even during their tough stretches.
With Avtomobilist struggling with defense—having allowed at least three goals per game over their last matches—the probability of Traktor's offense finding the back of the net on multiple occasions looks likely. Odds for Traktor scoring more than 2.5 goals are at 2.10, making it another interesting bet for fans to contemplate.
Overall, this match is poised to deliver excitement as both teams battle not only for points but for pride within the league. Fans can expect fast-paced action and possibly high goal tallies, reminiscent of their previous encounters.
Stay tuned for what promises to be another intense chapter in this competitive derby as Avtomobilist searches for redemption against Traktor on home ice.
