Avtomobilist vs Traktor Chelyabinsk Prediction 22 August 2026
π With the regular season just around the corner, pre-season fixtures are becoming increasingly rare. For Avtomobilist, this marks their first home game of the off-season-and itβs set to take place on Fan Appreciation Day. Traktor are only beginning to adjust to the demands of their new coaching staff, while the Yekaterinburg side have already battled through two tough matchups against SKA. At this stage of preparation, recent match experience could prove more significant than any pre-season predictions.
Head-to-Head
π Last season, the teams faced off six times. Avtomobilist edged the head-to-head, claiming four wins, while Traktor came out on top twice. Thatβs a familiar storyline for the Ural derby-most games are tightly contested, and the outcome is often decided by a single scoring run or capitalizing on key moments.
Head-to-head statistics Avtomobilist - Traktor Chelyabinsk

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg Team Overview
The Saint Petersburg series turned out to be a mixed bag, but ultimately a valuable experience. In the opener, the team struggled to impose their style on SKA, but in the second game, they looked much more assured. Avtomobilist found the net four times, and the contest remained in the balance right up until the final buzzer. The goals came from Nikita Shashkov, Roman Gorbunov, Kale Clague, and Daniel Sprong.
Head coach Alexei Kudashov primarily used these games to assess his roster options. Now, the team gets their first chance to play at home this season, where the atmosphere will be completely different. On Fan Day, extra motivation is rarely needed.
Match Results: Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg

Traktor Chelyabinsk Team Overview
The Chelyabinsk club are still getting to know Scott Gordon. The new head coach isnβt rushing to any conclusions and openly states that competition for roster spots is still wide open. The team are putting in the work to adapt to a new playing style focused on a high tempo, quick transitions through the neutral zone, and relentless movement.
At the same time, the roster is far from set. Traktor are awaiting the arrival of Boris Katchouk, several players remain sidelined with injuries, and the younger skaters are seizing every training session to stake their claim for a place in the main squad.
Match Results: Traktor Chelyabinsk
βοΈ Editorβs Prediction
It feels like Avtomobilist are finding their rhythm heading into this clash. Two matchups against SKA have given them valuable game time, and in the second outing, the Yekaterinburg side looked far more confident up front, hitting the back of the net four times.
Traktor, meanwhile, are facing a different set of challenges. With a new head coach at the helm, the team is still in the early stages of building chemistry, and key roster decisions are yet to be made. Home-ice advantage could also play a part here. Our pick: Avtomobilist to score over 2.5 goals.