AK Bars Kazan vs Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk Prediction 31 January 2026
🔊 The sixth (and final) Tatarstan derby of the current KHL regular season is upon us. Neftekhimik are chasing a record-winning streak in the league. How has the week's rest impacted the team from Nizhnekamsk? We delve into the long-standing rivalry between the clubs and review the latest news ahead of the January 31st showdown.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past five KHL regular seasons, teams from Tatarstan have clashed 19 times: Ak Bars claimed victory in 14 encounters, while Neftekhimik won 5. In 2023, the teams faced off in six playoff games, with the Kazan side prevailing in the series (4-2).
This season, Kazan and Nizhnekamsk have met head-to-head five times, with the "Bars" holding the edge (3 wins to 2). In Kazan, Ak Bars have failed to defeat their fierce rivals in regulation time for three consecutive games.
Head-to-head statistics AK Bars Kazan - Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
AK Bars Kazan Team Overview
Despite suffering defeats in their last two games-falling in the "Green Derby" against Salavat Yulaev (4-3 OT) and against Sibir (3-2 SO)-Kazan managed to pick up two points and maintain their second place in the Eastern Conference. With games in hand, the team from Tatarstan (70 points in 51 games) stays ahead of Avangard (69 points in 48 games).
Considering their four victories in the Far East in mid-January, Ak Bars have extended their point streak to six games. However, Anvar Gatiyatulin's squad has not been able to secure a home win for three consecutive matches.
Nathan Todd made his debut for the Kazan club against Ufa- the former Spartak forward spent 17 minutes on the ice but didn't register any points. Defenders Stepan Falkovsky and Albert Yarullin, along with forward Mikhail Fisenko, remain sidelined due to injuries. On a positive note, Nikita Lyamkin has returned to action and immediately contributed with an assist against Salavat.
Match Results: AK Bars Kazan
Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk Team Overview
Neftekhimik are enjoying their best stretch in six years, having won seven consecutive games. The last time they achieved such a feat was at the end of 2019, when they had a 10-game winning streak.
Under Igor Grishin, the team has not secured any blowout victories during this current streak, with their largest margin being just two goals. Their January success has also impacted their standings, as Neftekhimik have overtaken Salavat Yulaev to climb into the top five of the Eastern Conference.
In the game against Barys, Neftekhimik forward Andrey Belozerov scored his 24th goal of the season, tying the club's single-season scoring record held by Maksim Pestushko and Richard Gynge.
Match Results: Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
⚡️ Leaders
The title of top scorer for Kazan this season is shared by Alexander Barabanov and Kirill Semyonov, both having tallied 39 points. Barabanov also holds the title of the top Russian goal-scorer with 14 goals, while Semyonov is the leading playmaker with 26 assists.
Andrey Belozerov has added 17 assists to his 24 goals, placing the forward among the top 20 scorers this KHL season. Nikita Khoruzhev has been noted for his assists in four of the last five matches.
🥅 Goalkeepers
The role of the primary goalkeeper in the final "Green Derby" of the current regular season was entrusted to 22-year-old Maxim Arefyev, who saved 81% of shots in the match. This game against Ufa marked just his eighth appearance this season. Timur Bilyalov leads the team with a save percentage of 92.3.
A significant part of Neftekhimik's current winning streak is credited to Yaroslav Ozolin. The 25-year-old goalie recorded three shutouts in January, with his save percentage dropping below 90% only once.
Editorial Prediction
Statistics suggest that for Neftekhimik to maintain their winning streak, scoring just three goals can suffice. A week of rest should positively impact the visitors' focus-coaches and staff have had more time to analyze Ak Bars' game, while players have had a chance to recover ahead of this crucial matchup.
Considering the Wolves' not overly high but consistent scoring rate (in five out of seven games during their winning streak), bookmakers offer an appealing odds on the visitors scoring two goals. It looks like a challenge-we're opting for Neftekhimik's individual total over 2.
No comments
Betting Tips: AK Bars Kazan - Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
in last 7 games (KHL).in 18 of last 20 home games against Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL).in last 6 games (KHL).in 11 of last 12 away games (KHL).in 7 of last 8 home games against Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL).in 9 of last 10 games (KHL).
Other predictions
