The KHL regular season match between Barys and Salavat Yulaev is set for March 22, 2025, at the Barys Arena in Astana, where the home team is struggling after a series of defeats.
Barys has found itself in a dismal situation, having lost three matches in a row, including a humiliating 0:8 loss to Ak Bars in their previous home game. This defeat marked a disheartening low for the team, which is now the bottom-ranked team in the Eastern Conference with just 35 points accrued over a total of 67 games.
Despite Galym Mambetaliev, the team’s coach, emphasizing the importance of developing young talent and gaining valuable experience, the team’s performance has seen them register a string of significant losses throughout the season. The situation has led some to question the effectiveness of this strategy, especially as Barys has struggled with severe defeats, falling 1:10 to Torpedo and 0:6 to Salavat Yulaev earlier this season.
For their part, Salavat Yulaev enters this match ranked second in the Eastern Conference with 91 points from 67 games. The team is looking to secure its playoff positioning and comes off a solid victory against Sibir, having won three games consecutively.
Historically, Salavat Yulaev has proven dominant against Barys in their recent encounters, winning all three of their prior meetings in this season alone, with scores of 3:2, 4:1, and 6:0. This streak reflects their general superiority over their upcoming opponents.
The latest statistics reveal that Barys has struggled significantly, with the team recording the lowest goals scored in the league this season at just 98, failing to even reach the coveted 100-goal mark. Their inability to convert on face-offs has also hindered their performance, ranking them worst in the league in this regard.
As for the upcoming match, Barys is expected to continue facing challenges, specifically in scoring, as they have only posted one win in their last five matches, leading to substantial doubts about their ability to compete effectively against a strong Salavat Yulaev squad that has demonstrated scoring prowess with 207 goals this season and a solid defensive record.
Salavat Yulaev is renowned for its impressive defensive capabilities, noted for ranking among the top teams for blocked shots, totaling 1120. They have shown an ability to win crucial games while minimizing goals against, having not allowed more than one goal in their last four away matches.
Analysts believe it is crucial for Salavat Yulaev to maintain its form, as they will not only seek to win but also aim to prove their offensive capabilities against a team that has struggled as much as Barys has. Winning this match can ensure that they preserve their standing on the playoff ladder, particularly since they are only one point ahead of Metallurg Mg.
The betting odds reflect the dynamic between the two teams: Salavat Yulaev's chances of winning are set at a low coefficient of 1.40 for victory in regulation time. In contrast, Barys' odds are considerably higher at 6.80, demonstrating the disparity in expectations. Additionally, wagers on individual player performance are also drawing attention; for example, a bet on Salavat Yulaev scoring more than 3.5 goals has a coefficient set at 2.00, inherently reinforcing their perceived offensive strength.
As the match draws near, it appears that the home team, Barys, will find it difficult to claim victory. Salavat Yulaev has everything to play for, and given the recent trajectory of both teams, the expectations lean heavily in favor of Salavat Yulaev securing yet another victory, possibly with a commanding score that reflects their recent dominance over Barys.
In conclusion, with Salavat Yulaev’s strong showing this season and Barys’ challenges on both offense and defense, analysts predict a Salavat Yulaev victory, potentially paired with high individual scoring from players like Josh Leivo, who is aiming to break records with his goal-scoring tally.
