Avangard vs. Metallurg Magnitogorsk: KHL match forecast
On December 30, Avangard will play at home, where they will once again meet a very strong opponent in the person of Metallurg. The Foxes have gained a great pace and have not lost for four matches in a row. Will the Omsk team be able to break this streak? We suggest you familiarize yourself with the forecast and bets in the forecast below

Command Analysis

Avangard Omsk

Current form
Avangard did not finish the away series in the best way, despite the fact that the beginning was promising. In the first match, the team won a confident victory over Sibir with a score of 5:3. The attack line showed an outstanding game, and it was difficult to single out anyone. Then the Omsk team met with Neftekhimik and won in overtime with a score of 4:3. Forward Yakubov became the most productive player of the match, scoring twice. Goalkeeper Serebryakov blocked 35 shots, making a significant contribution to the team success.
The Hawks were expected to continue their winning streak and beat Lada, but this did not happen. Goalkeeper Khomchenko made several mistakes, which led to a defeat (3:4). Despite the failure, Avangard managed to earn one point in the match with Metallurg, losing in overtime with a score of 1:2. Returning to the home arena, the team met with Lada and was able to rehabilitate for the lost points, interrupting their losing streak and winning with a score of 7:6. The most productive was forward Okulov, who scored twice and gave an assist. It is worth noting that head coach Reid Boucher and his assistant Dave Barr returned to the team, which should have a positive effect on its play and help the club confidently advance to the playoffs.
Disqualifications and injuries
Avangard is experiencing serious problems with its roster. Five players are in the infirmary at once: Boykov, Galimov, Grant, Stepanov and Tkachev.
Interesting trends for betting
- Avangard averages 2.56 goals per game
The club main problem remains its very low attacking performance.
- The Hawks are averaging 6.4 penalty minutes per game.
The team distinctive feature remains its very careful and disciplined play.

Metallurg Magnitogorsk

Current form
Metallurg continues to be in excellent shape and has not lost in four games in a row. The team had a very successful home series of three games, which began with a confident victory over Avtomobilist (4:2). Not only the attacking line, but also goalkeeper Nabokov, who blocked 31 shots, made a great contribution to the success. They managed to consolidate their success in a match with another very serious opponent, Salavat Yulaev, also winning with a score of 4:2. It is impossible not to mention Yurov, who scored twice. The team earned its third victory in a row in the game with Avangard, snatching it in overtime (2:1). However, it is worth noting that the Foxes looked much better than their competitor in terms of play, and made 52 shots on target in three periods.
Next, Magnitogorsk went to visit Avtomobilist, where they also achieved success in the return match, but not so confidently. Razin charges equalized the score just one and a half minutes before the final whistle, and then showed their best side in the shootout and won with a final score of 2:1. Indeed, the club picked up an excellent pace and, due to the large number of points scored, rose to fourth place in the Eastern Conference table, and the gap from the leader was reduced to six points.
Disqualifications and injuries
Metallurg has no problems with its roster. Only Eremenko is in the infirmary.
Interesting trends for betting
- On average, Metallurg concedes 2.2 goals per match
The Foxes have been playing very well defensively this season.
- On average, Magnitogorsk players take 33 shots per match
It is also worth noting the club very active play in attack.
Trends
Bet First Goal: Metallurg
In five head-to-head matches in a row, Metallurg opened the scoring
1.90Goal in each period bet - no
In three head-to-head matches in a row, the teams failed to score a goal in each period
2.35Tip and bets
Bookmakers do not single out a clear favorite in the upcoming match and give approximately equal odds for the teams to win, which is rather strange. Metallurg is in excellent shape and performs well both at home and away. The team is distinguished by a very active attacking game and throughout the match creates serious pressure on its competitors, which allows them to consistently earn points. Magnitogorsk has recently proven its superiority over Omsk, and nothing should prevent them from achieving success again.
Our prediction is Metallurg victory in the match for 1.95
Bet on total
The upcoming match may well be productive. Recently, Avangard has not been distinguished by reliable play in defense and tries to compensate for the failures in defense by active actions in attack, which makes the matches very intense.
Forecast - total over five goals for 1.74
Bet on the outcome of the first period
Avangard is not showing its best game in the first period and often allows its opponents to gain an advantage at the end of the opening period, which Metallurg can also take advantage of.
Forecast - Metallurg wins in the first period with a handicap of (0) for 1.82