Neftekhimik vs. Barys: KHL Match Prediction
In Nizhnekamsk on November 11, the local Neftekhimik will try to break its terrible losing streak. This time, the representatives of Astana will come to visit the Wolves. Barys began to look better after parting with the legionnaires and even left the last place in the Eastern Conference table. Galym Mambetaliyev charges still score very little, but they managed to improve their defense. What will the match in the Republic of Tatarstan be like? Will the meeting be spectacular? Read about this in our prediction for the confrontation

Command Analysis

Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk

Current form
Neftekhimik had a good start to the season and for some time was even among the leaders of the Eastern Conference. Oleg Leontyev team dropped to ninth place, with 22 points after 25 games. The Wolves have not lost their chances of getting into the playoffs, but it time for the hosts to come to their senses and start winning. Since November 11, Nizhnekamsk has won only one victory, and that was against a not very strong club from Sochi (2:1). After that, Evgeny Mityakin team lost on home ice to Lada (0:3) and Avtomobilist (2:3), and on the road lost to the same Machinists (2:3) and Barys (1:2, B). The new series of games at home started with an unpleasant defeat in the derby against Ak Bars (1:4).
The team poor results this fall can be primarily attributed to the terrible execution of moments. Neftekhimik scores only 2.04 goals per game on average and has not been able to score at least three goals per game for eight games. Evgeny Mityakin (5+8) and Andrei Belozerov (6+7) are the hosts' leaders in terms of points scored. Both forwards have scored 13 goals this season.
The Wolves aren't doing too badly in their own half of the ice, allowing 2.68 goals per game. Filipp Dolganov has two shutouts in 16 games and has become the club number one goalie amid Artem Zagidullin lackluster performances.
Disqualifications and injuries
Vladimir Bryukvin, Jean-Sebastian Dy and Aleksandr Dergachevne will play against Barys. Also, defender Roman Abrosimov will not be able to take part in the upcoming match due to injury.
Interesting trends for betting
- Neftekhimik averages two goals per match
Nizhnekamsk has one of the worst attacks in the league at the moment, which is the main reason for the club losses.
- On average, the Wolves receive 7.36 penalty minutes per game.
The team has no problems with discipline; it rarely breaks the rules, which allows it to remain in full force.

Barys Nur-Sultan

Current form
Barys has already slightly improved its position in the tournament table and currently occupies the penultimate line in the Eastern Conference tournament table, having 14 points. It should be noted that in three previous meetings out of five, the team regularly earned points. It lost to Kunlun on its home ice (0:2), but celebrated success in the subsequent match with Neftekhimik (2:1 SO), and also imposed a close fight on its ice against Ak Bars, to which it lost only outside of regulation time in a series of post-match shots - 1:2 SO. In the last match, the "cats" were very close to victory over Avtomobilist (1:3). Galym Mambetaliyev charges were leading at the end of two periods, but fell apart at the end and conceded three unanswered goals.
The "Bars"' problems in attack remain relevant. In the five previous meetings, the visitors scored only six goals, while in general for the season the Astana team scores only 1.22 times per match. Not a single player on the team is even in the top 200 best scorers in the league.
With the arrival of the new coach, Barys has become more reliable in defense. In the last five starts, Roman Starchenko team has allowed only eight goals into its own net, and Nikita Boyarkin has shown good play in the last line, reflecting 93.39% of shots.
Disqualifications and injuries
Viktor Antipin, Damir Zhafyarov and CJ Smith will not take part in the upcoming fight due to injuries.
Interesting trends for betting
- On average, Barys receives 6.78 minutes of penalty time per match
The Barça are distinguished by good discipline and are rarely sent off more than three times per game
- According to statistics, Barys allows at least 33 shots on its goal
Astana players act as second fiddle and allow their opponents to spend a lot of time in their zone
Trends
Bet 1st period: total under 1.5 goals
In the last seven matches involving Barys, the first period has not been productive
1.60Bet 2nd period: Barys will score
Astana scored in the second period in two out of three games
2.00Tip and bets
In our opinion, the upcoming match will not be a walk in the park for Neftekhimik, and it will not be able to earn two points as easily as many people think. Nizhnekamsk plays terribly in attack and scores very little, while during the current season, Oleg Leontyev charges have won only two victories in regulation time with a difference of more than one goal. Barys has improved its actions in defense, but is still bad in attack. Just recently, the Astana team managed to beat its opponent in Kazakhstan. We believe that this time they will be able to maintain a small positive handicap.
Forecast - Barys win with Asian handicap (+1) on goals for 1.88
Bet on individual total
Neftekhimik scores only 2.04 goals per game on average, while in the last five starts the Wolves have scored only six accurate shots. Barys has become better at defense and no longer fails in defense as it did at the beginning of the season. We do not think that Roman Starchenko team will be routed in Tatarstan. We believe that Nikita Boyarkin will do his job well.
We take the individual total of Neftekhimik less than three goals for 1.60
Total Bet
Most matches involving Barys are ineffective and take place with a minimum number of goals scored. The team plays closed hockey and scores very few goals itself. The teams recently met each other in Astana and then the match ended with a score of 1:1 at the end of regular time. We believe that the match in Nizhnekamsk will not be much different in terms of scoring.
We bet on total under 4.5 goals with odds of 1.85