Lokomotiv Yaroslavl vs Shanghai Dragons Prediction 17 January 2026

The reigning Gagarin Cup holders have started 2026 on a solid note, picking up points in every match so far. However, on Wednesday, Bob Hartley's squad stumbled, failing to find the net against Nizhny Novgorod's Torpedo in a 3-0 defeat. On Saturday, Yaroslavl will kick off a three-game homestand, presenting a good opportunity to take revenge against both the team from Nizhny Novgorod and the Shanghai side, while solidifying their position at the top of the Western standings. It's worth noting that the "Railwaymen" average 2.83 goals per game at home, conceding just 2.04 goals. The second period remains a troublesome stretch for Lokomotiv - in their last nine games, they've only managed to score more than once in this period on a single occasion. The team will be without the talented forward Yegor Surin in the upcoming match due to a broken hand.

The Shanghai Dragons currently sit ninth in the Western Conference standings, and their recent form raises concerns: three losses in their last five games highlight the team's inconsistency. Despite their setbacks, the visitors have a knack for surprising opponents in the early periods - they often start matches with energy, scoring in nearly every game (in 8 of their last 9 encounters). The Dragons average 2.48 goals per game while conceding around 3.67 goals. The coaching staff has struggled throughout the season to instill a sense of discipline in the players. In a recent clash with SKA (2-5), Somerby and his squad racked up five penalties, two of which led to disaster in the decisive stretch of the game. The departure of Gallant, rumors about potential top-six player trades, and the termination of Yegor Chezganov's loan deal are all developments that certainly don't favor the Shanghai side.