Barys Astana vs Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Prediction 19 January 2025

🔊 What will be the outcome of the clash between the worst attack and the best defense in the league? The frankly hopeless Barys continues to struggle. The next challenge for Galym Mambetaliyev's team will be a meeting with the leader of the Western Conference - Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. It is more than obvious that the clubs are currently in different weight categories. This is also reflected in the bookmakers' preliminary predictions: a victory for "Barys" - 5.4, a victory for the "railwaymen" - 1.6.

📊 H2H

In October last year, "Loko" hosted guests from Astana at the "Arena-2000". Back then, Igor Nikitin's team played reliably in defense and secured a hard-fought victory (3:1). The last visit of Yaroslavl to the "Barys Arena" ended in a real nightmare for "Barys" (0:6).

🔵 BARYS

The Astana club has not known victory for over a month. In this situation, one can only sympathize with Barys fans. Also, recently, defender Nikita Kamalov left the club, moving to Magnitogorsk Metallurg. Let us remind you that the Russian was a player of the first line-up for "Barys". Galym Mambetaliyev has practically abandoned high pressing in favor of tactical flexibility. Nevertheless, this does not help Barys leave the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Even Anton Burdasov, one of the team's main stars, has not scored points in the last 7 matches.

🔴 LOKOMOTIV

Igor Nikitin is an advocate of pragmatic hockey, focused on defensive efficiency. Given this thesis, it can be confidently said that the Kazakhstani specialist is doing exemplary work in Yaroslavl. It is precisely the "railwaymen" who are characterized by the best defense in the KHL - only 1.7 goals conceded per game. In addition, "Loko" boasts excellent productivity in away matches - 36 points after 23 games (the best result in the KHL). Artur Kayumov is in great form, having scored 9 points in the last 7 games.

🔗 PROBABLE LINEUPS

Barys: Boyarkin - Beketayev, Daniyar - Setdikov, Nikolyshin, Savitsky

Lokomotiv: Melnychuk - Bereglazov, Sergeyev - Kayumov, Shalunov, Berezkin

🥅 GOALKEEPERS

Nikita Boyarkin remains an extremely reliable goalkeeper despite Barys' dreadful results. This season, the 26-year-old goalie has participated in 31 of his team's matches. During this period, he managed to save 92.94% of shots with a goals-against average of 2.22.

Aleksei Melnychuk is not a frequent participant in matches for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. In this regular season, the 26-year-old hockey player had the opportunity to participate in only 14 "Loko" matches. Nonetheless, his average statistical indicators are impressive (92.57% save percentage, GAA - 1.63).

📝 MATCH PREDICTION

It is extremely hard to believe that "Barys" will manage to take points from the leader of the Western Conference. We suggest focusing on an interesting observation. Barys has huge problems with scoring (1.32 goals per game). At the same time, "Loko" is characterized by excellent defensive actions (1.7 goals conceded per game). In 5 out of the last 6 head-to-head encounters, Astana managed to score no more than two goals against their opponent. Our choice is individual total for Barys under 1.5 goals.