Avtomobilist vs Lada Prediction 24 January 2025

🔊 Can Lada, for the first time since their return to the KHL, leave "Avto" without points? One of the matches on Friday's KHL schedule will be the clash between Yekaterinburg's Avtomobilist and Tolyatti's Lada at the "Uralets Arena". The recent results of the "owls" have distanced the team from the playoff zone. Therefore, a victory in the upcoming game is especially important for the visiting side. Our editorial team offers you an informative prediction that takes into account several crucial statistical factors.

📊 H2H

On the last game day of 2024, Lada achieved a victory over Avtomobilist (3:2) in a shootout series. It should be noted that the previous clean victory of the "owls" over "Avto" dates back to the 2017/18 season (3:1).

🔴 AVTOMOBILIST

Nikolay Zavarukhin managed to outplay Guy Boucher in a recent coaching duel. The Yekaterinburg team effectively mirrored the tactical style of Omsk, which puzzled the "hawks". Effective counter-attacking actions allowed "Avto" to score 2 pucks against Avangard, setting the final numbers on the scoreboard (2:1). The third period was crucial for Avtomobilist, as Zavarukhin's pragmatic hockey prevented the Omsk club from getting back into the game. A not-so-pleasant news from the last match was Jesse Blacker's injury.

🔵 LADA

The Tolyatti team maintains the 9th position in the "East" standings, but the gap from the playoff zone is already 5 points. Considering the highly unstable hockey performed by Pavel Zubov's team, it is unlikely that they will bridge this difference soon. The acting head coach has often noted that Lada should now be expected to play spectacular hockey characterized by a large number of shots. However, we still observe a situation where the "owls" are the team with the fewest shots in the KHL - 26.4 per game. Pavel Koltygin and Nikita Popugaev remain in Tolyatti's infirmary.

🔗 PROBABLE LINEUPS

Avtomobilist: Alikin - Osipov, Tryamkin - Golyshov, Da Costa, Khripunov

Lada: Trushkov - Berezin, Sharakanov - Chernikov, Volkov, Kugryshev

🥅 GOALKEEPERS

Evgeny Alikin was one of the main heroes of the victorious match against Avangard (2:1). The 30-year-old goalkeeper made 34 saves while allowing only 1 puck. The average statistical indicators of the Russian further confirm the high class of the goalkeeper (91.69% save percentage, GAA - 2.27).

Alexander Trushkov continues to be an irreplaceable part of Tolyatti's Lada after Vladislav Podyapolsky left the club. In the current regular championship, he has already participated in 18 matches. At this stage, his current performance statistics are: 91.13% save percentage, GAA - 2.99, 2 shutouts.

📝 MATCH PREDICTION

At the moment, Lada cannot boast a great attacking variety, and their attempts to compete against top clubs usually result in unsuccessful outcomes. For over 7 years, "Avto" has not lost to the "owls" in head-to-head matches within regular time. It seems that Yekaterinburg should secure 2 points on class alone. The key bet is victory for Avtomobilist.