CSKA vs SKA St. Petersburg Prediction 29 September 2026
🔊 Both teams head into the season’s first Army Derby riding impressive winning streaks. CSKA return home after a flawless road trip-five games, ten points, and three shutouts along the way. SKA, meanwhile, have also been perfect in the second half of September, stringing together three consecutive victories. Last season, these sides were evenly matched during the regular campaign, but when the playoffs arrived, CSKA needed just five games to close out the series.
Head-to-Head
📊 Last season, CSKA and SKA faced off eight times across the regular season and playoffs. Heading into the postseason, neither side managed to establish clear dominance, splitting their victories evenly. However, after a high-scoring opener, the tone of the rivalry shifted, with the average total goals per game settling at five. In the first round of the playoffs, the balance finally tipped: CSKA clinched the series 4-1.
Head-to-head statistics CSKA - SKA St. Petersburg
They picked up ten points on the road.
CSKA have swept through five consecutive road games without dropping a single point. Igor Nikitin’s side have become especially tough to break down: Sochi, Amur, and Lada all failed to find the net against them. In each of those three matchups, their opponents managed no more than 15 shots on target. Meanwhile, the Moscow club haven’t just relied on defense - they’ve averaged 3.6 goals per game on this trip, with an xG of 2.81.
In Togliatti, the opening period was uneventful, with Lada registering only two shots on goal. The difference emerged after the break: Guryanov broke the deadlock, Sorkin converted on the power play, and Poltapov struck twice. Zernov capped it off with the fifth goal (5-0). Dmitry Gamzin earned a shutout - his second in a row for CSKA following their win over Amur. After five straight games on the road, the team now returns home to Moscow.
Match Results: CSKA Moscow
Fewer chances, but plenty of goals.
SKA have played three games in the second half of September, coming out on top in each contest. However, the number of chances created hasn't always reflected on the scoreboard. Against the Shanghai Dragons, the St. Petersburg side found the net seven times, despite the shot count being relatively even. In their clash with Traktor, SKA secured a 4-3 victory, even though Chelyabinsk had a clear edge in terms of attacking threats.
In Astana, clinical finishing once again proved decisive. Bardakov opened the scoring just 56 seconds in, Plotnikov added a brace before the first intermission, and Glotov struck twice in the second period-one goal coming on the power play, the other while shorthanded. SKA claimed a 5-3 win, though Igor Larionov admitted post-game that his side had conceded more quality chances to Barys. The visitors took the points, but their coach was left frustrated by the number of opportunities they allowed the hosts.
Match Results: SKA St. Petersburg
⚡️ Key Players
For CSKA, defenseman Egor Zamula leads the way with 8 points (1 goal, 7 assists) in nine games and a +6 plus-minus rating. Maxim Sorkin has tallied 5 points (4 goals, 1 assist), with two of his goals coming on the power play. Denis Guryanov has found the net four times across nine appearances.
SKA’s top scorer is Nikolai Goldobin, who has racked up 13 points (1 goal, 12 assists) in eight games. Sergei Plotnikov follows closely with 9 points (6 goals, 3 assists) and a +8 rating. Scott Wilson has chipped in with 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) over seven outings.
🥅 Goaltenders
Alexander Samonov has started three games for CSKA and won them all. He boasts a 96.4% save percentage, a stellar goals-against average of 0.67, and has posted two shutouts. Dmitry Gamzin has played six times, recording two wins, three losses, and one shootout game. His numbers: a save percentage of 89.8% and a 1.99 goals-against average, along with two shutouts.
SKA’s Sergei Ivanov remains unbeaten with three wins in three starts, a 96% save percentage, and a 1.33 goals-against average. Artemy Pleshkov has appeared five times, securing four victories while posting a 92.9% save percentage and a 2.59 GAA. Pleshkov was between the pipes for SKA’s latest game against Barys.
⭐️ Editor’s Prediction
CSKA have kept clean sheets in their last two games, but SKA are heading into this derby with a much more potent attack. The Saint Petersburg side have scored at least two goals in each of their last 14 regular season games. Even in last season’s playoff series loss to the Moscow club, SKA managed to hit that mark in four out of five matchups. Right now, SKA are riding a four-game winning streak and have netted nine goals in their last two outings. My pick: SKA over 1.5 goals (team total).
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Betting Tips: CSKA Moscow - SKA St. Petersburg
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