On January 23, 2025, hockey fans are gearing up for an exciting match as Severstal Cherepovets faces off against Kunlun Red Star at the Ice Palace in Cherepovets. The game is scheduled to start at 19:00 Moscow time and is part of the KHL regular season.
This season, Severstal has been particularly impressive, quickly establishing themselves as serious contenders. They have managed to avoid lengthy losing streaks, with their last sequence of two consecutive losses occurring way back in November. Since then, they have won 12 out of their last 17 matches, currently placing them fourth in the Western Conference. Their latest victory was against CSKA, where they showcased resilience—after initially leading 4-1, they allowed CSKA to equalize but triumphed 5-4 after a shootout.
According to Metaratings, "Severstal has produced very strong impressions this season, avoiding long declines." Such stability has placed them among the league's elites, making them formidable opponents.
On the other hand, Kunlun Red Star has faced tough times recently. The team has found itself struggling to maintain momentum, particularly after facing defeats against Avangard and Spartak, leaving them ninth in the Western Conference standings. Despite earlier successes—having tallied impressive winning streaks—they now sit six points shy of the playoffs, creating increased urgency for them to secure victories.
Metaratings notes, "Kunlun's situation has worsened again, remaining among the league's outsiders." This has placed added pressure on the team as they seek to regain footing against higher-ranking teams like Severstal.
The two teams have met four times this season, with Severstal having the upper hand, winning three of those encounters. This historical performance plays heavily on betting lines, with odds favoring Severstal significantly. Currently, the bet for Severstal to win sits at 1.67, making them the favorite for this matchup.
Statistics show Severstal's recent dominance against Kunlun, having won five out of their last six encounters. This trend is echoed by their overall performance at home where they are known to be especially strong. A report states, "Severstal has won 10 out of their last 12 home games against Kunlun Red Star," illustrating their home ground advantage.
Betting trends indicate there could also be plenty of action on the scoreboard. The recommendation to bet on more than 4.5 total goals appears promising, reflecting both teams' tendencies to engage offensively, which aligns with previous match results showing high-scoring games. With the average score from their past encounters showing around 6.25 goals per game, it adds weight to the prediction of another goal-rich match.
Fans and analysts alike anticipate this matchup will see Severstal continue their winning ways. Indeed, taking all factors—current form, head-to-head statistics, and betting odds—into account, placing a bet on Severstal to win appears to be the astute choice. Overall, Severstal is projected to secure the victory, extending their successful streak and firming up their place among the league’s top teams.