Salavat Yulaev Ufa vs Traktor Chelyabinsk Prediction 25 August 2026

The home tournament proved to be a mixed bag for Ufa. The team opened with a win over Barys, then suffered a surprising 3-6 defeat to Lada, and wrapped up their campaign with a 2-3 loss to Amur. After the final game, Viktor Kozlov refrained from making any sweeping statements. He emphasized that the main goal was to assess young players and test out tactical options, noting that after three games in four days, there’s still plenty of work ahead for the squad.

The clash with Amur offered a clear snapshot of Salavat’s current form. They created chances consistently-Danil Alalykin and Devin Brosseau both found the net-but couldn’t hold onto their lead. Following the tournament, the coaching staff were able to regroup, analyze mistakes, evaluate player fitness, and in Magnitogorsk, gradually shape the roster into the lineup that will kick off the regular season.

For Chelyabinsk, the clash with Avtomobilist served as their first real test of the preseason. The team twice found themselves trailing, but on both occasions managed to claw their way back into the game. Nathan Légaré emerged as the standout performer, netting a brace, and regulation ended in a 3-3 draw. It was only in overtime that the hosts managed to snatch the win.

After the final whistle, Traktor’s camp focused less on the result and more on the team’s overall performance. Players noted that, both physically and tactically, the side looked solid-especially considering it was their first official outing after training camp. The new coaching staff continues to implement their philosophy, so some mistakes are still inevitable at this stage. However, in terms of work rate and movement, there were hardly any complaints about the team’s commitment on the ice.