Salavat Yulaev Ufa vs Ak Bars Kazan Prediction 16 September 2026
π The new season is just getting underway, and the schedule already serves up the first Green Derby of the campaign. Salavat Yulaev have opened with two wins from three, showcasing a wide range of hockey-from a shutout victory over Avangard to a 14-goal shootout against Barys. Ak Bars, meanwhile, rarely leave the ice empty-handed, although their previous outing in Nizhny Novgorod ended in defeat. Now, these fierce rivals face off in Ufa, where last yearβs series tilted notably in favor of the Kazan side.
Head-to-Head
π Last season, these rivals faced off six times. Salavat Yulaev managed to win just twice, with their most recent victory coming in a shootout. Ak Bars took the other four matchups, and on three occasions, Kazanβs side won by at least a two-goal margin. The Green Derby always delivered goals, too-the average total across those six games stood at 5.3 goals per contest.
Head-to-head statistics Salavat Yulaev Ufa - Ak Bars Kazan
Salavat Yulaev Ufa Team Overview
The opening three games have already highlighted Salavat Yulaevβs biggest strength this season-their attacking firepower. The Ufa side have netted 13 goals so far, with Jack Rodewald racking up five points. They have managed to secure two wins, but their trip to Astana served as a stark reminder of how quickly things can unravel when defensive issues arise.
Against Barys, Salavat conceded four times in the opening period, yet even with a significant deficit, they kept pressing forward. In the second half, Salavat gradually closed the gap - Danil Alalykin scored twice, and three of their goals came on the power play. Still, a comeback proved out of reach as they fell 6-8. Following that defeat, the club terminated Ilya Konovalovβs contract and brought in Nikita Bogdanov. Bogdanov arrives after three appearances for Toros, where he posted a 95.8% save percentage and recorded one shutout. Gorshkov, Kuzmin, Kulik, and Khvorov remain sidelined through injury.
Match Results: Salavat Yulaev Ufa
Ak Bars Kazan Team Overview
Kazan opened their campaign with four straight games picking up points. Their only defeat in that stretch came against Metallurg, and even then it was settled in a shootout. After five games, Ak Bars have collected seven points with a goal difference of 12-10. Kirill Semyonov has been particularly impressive, tallying eight points and already racking up seven assists.
Their point streak came to an end in Nizhny Novgorod. Dmitry Katelyevsky put them ahead just two minutes in, but by the first intermission, Ak Bars found themselves trailing. After conceding a third goal, Egor Sokolov capitalized on a power play, and late in the game, Kazan pulled their goalie for an extra attacker and managed to find the net. However, Artyom Galimovβs goal was overturned following a video review for goaltender interference. The 2-3 defeat to Torpedo marked a second consecutive game in which Anvar Gatiyatullinβs side failed to hold onto their lead.
Match Results: Ak Bars Kazan
β‘οΈ Key Players
Alexander Alekseev and Jack Rodewald have both tallied five points in three games for Salavat Yulaev. The defenseman has picked up five assists, while Rodewald has found the net four times and added one assist. Sheldon Rempal sits at four points with a goal and three assists.
Kirill Semyonov leads Ak Bars with eight points through five games - one goal and seven assists. Nikita Lyamkin has registered four points, all coming from assists. Artem Galimov has scored three goals so far.
π₯ Goaltenders
Mikhail Povarov has started four games for Salavat Yulaev, recording two wins and two losses. He owns a .908 save percentage and a 3.03 goals-against average.
Timur Bilyalov has featured in four games for Ak Bars, posting two wins, one regulation loss, and another defeat in a shootout. Bilyalov has turned aside 99 of 105 shots for a .943 save percentage and a 1.48 goals-against average. Maksim Arefyev has played one game, stopping 29 of 32 shots - a .906 save percentage and a 2.80 goals-against average.
βοΈ Editorβs Prediction
Salavat have kicked off the season playing a brand of hockey that guarantees plenty of action around both nets. In just three games, the Ufa side have racked up 13 goals, but they've also conceded 10. Their clash with Barys was especially telling: even when trailing by a wide margin, Salavat kept pressing forward and eventually found the back of the net six times themselves.
This pick doesnβt require a repeat of that shootout. Five goals will be enough - and in two of the last three head-to-head meetings between Salavat and Ak Bars, the teams have combined for at least six. The average total across their six encounters last season also sits above this mark at 5.3. Given how prolific Salavat have looked early on, thereβs every reason to expect more goals here. My bet: total over 4.5 goals.
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Betting Tips: Salavat Yulaev Ufa - Ak Bars Kazan
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