Ak Bars Kazan — SKA Saint Petersburg Forecast: KHL Match Analysis
Ak Bars Kazan
SKA Saint PetersburgAk Bars host SKA at Kazan’s TatNeft Arena on November 2. The hosts are fourth in the Eastern Conference with 24 points from 22 games. SKA are ninth in the West with 19 points after a poor October.
Ak Bars: faceoff control without enough scoring
Recent form and special teams
Kazan have two wins and three defeats in their last five games. Their three home fixtures in that sequence produced a 1:2 loss to Torpedo, a 0:4 defeat against Avangard and a 3:1 win over Amur. The latest result ended the six-game home losing run reported before October 30.
- They conceded in every match, although both victories included just one goal allowed.
- The power play converts at 10.4%, the lowest rate in the KHL.
- Kazan lead the league in faceoffs won, but that advantage has not produced effective power-play finishing.
Availability and line balance
Artyom Galimov is injured and unavailable. Yegor Sokolov remains a fitness concern after missing five games, while work on Ilya Safonov’s return from Vancouver’s system does not confirm his availability. Anvar Gatiyatulin is still seeking balance across his forward lines and defensive pairs. Kazan last played on October 30 and remain at home for this fixture.
- Amur Khabarovskhome3:1
- Avangard Omskhome0:4
- Salavat Yulaev Ufaaway2:1
- Traktor Chelyabinskaway1:3
- Torpedo Nizhny Novgorodhome1:2
SKA: defensive leakage outweighs attacking bursts
Results and puck management
SKA have one win and four defeats in their last five. They scored six goals in the victory over Sibir. Their away appearance ended in a 0:1 loss at Lada, too small a sample to establish a broader road trend.
- They finished October with five points from 20 available, a 25% return.
- Their 320 turnovers place them second from bottom in the league for puck losses.
Absences and the longer preparation window
Zakhar Bardakov, Linus Weissbach and Igor Larionov are unavailable. Nikolai Goldobin is injured and will not play. SKA last played on October 27, giving them five clear days before the trip to Kazan. Andrei Razin planned a special training cycle after criticising fitness, mistakes and unnecessary penalties.
- Torpedo Nizhny Novgorodhome3:4
- CSKA Moscowhome1:3
- Sibir Novosibirskhome6:3
- Avtomobilist Yekaterinburghome1:3
- Lada Togliattiaway0:1
Previous meetings have favoured higher totals
Ak Bars won six of the last ten official meetings. Across the eight listed scorelines, the teams combined for 55 goals, averaging 6.9 per game; every meeting exceeded 4.5 goals and both teams scored each time. Kazan won three of the four listed home encounters, although SKA took the most recent meeting overall, 3:2 in December 2025. Those results contrast with the hosts’ current five-game sequence, in which no total exceeded four.
- 18.12.2025SKA Saint Petersburg3:2Ak Bars KazanKontinental Hockey League
- 28.11.2025Ak Bars Kazan5:2SKA Saint PetersburgKontinental Hockey League
- 25.08.2025SKA Saint Petersburg2:3Ak Bars KazanClub Friendlies
- 04.02.2025SKA Saint Petersburg3:8Ak Bars KazanKontinental Hockey League
- 15.11.2024Ak Bars Kazan3:2SKA Saint PetersburgKontinental Hockey League
Coaches are still rebuilding their combinations
Gatiyatulin says recruitment continues and a competitive roster still needs building; Razin wants an established core and clearer tactical execution after losing three of his first four games. Confirmed starting goalies, save percentages, penalty-kill rates, SKA’s power-play percentage, full lineups and detailed travel itineraries are unavailable, preventing a reliable comparison in those areas.
Our forecast
Ak Bars Kazan and SKA Saint Petersburg meet at TatNeft Arena with both teams carrying attacking concerns. Their power-play conversion is the league’s lowest at 10.4%, and they have lost six consecutive home games, pointing to a cautious start.
SKA have lost four of their last five games. Zakhar Bardakov, Linus Weissbach, Igor Larionov and Nikolai Goldobin are absent. The coaching staff is addressing fitness, discipline and tactical errors. Egor Sokolov’s availability for Ak Bars remains uncertain, while Artem Galimov will not play.
Our bet is Period 1: Both Teams To Score - No 1.32. Both teams are rebuilding combinations, and their recent results support a cautious opening before risks increase. Ak Bars have failed to score in one of their last five matches, while SKA were held scoreless in one. The projected score is 1:0 after the first period.
Conclusion
Period 1: Both Teams To Score - No 1.32 is the pick, with Kazan’s 10.4% power play and SKA’s depleted forward group pointing to a low-scoring opening period.
FAQ
When does Ak Bars Kazan — SKA Saint Petersburg kick off?
The match starts on 02.11.2026 at 11:00 (New York), TatNeft Arena (Kazan).
What is the prediction for Ak Bars Kazan — SKA Saint Petersburg?
Our pick is Period 1: Both Teams To Score - No at 1.32.
What are the teams’ chances?
By market estimate: Ak Bars Kazan win — 40%, draw — 23%, SKA Saint Petersburg win — 37%.
Chances by market estimate
Team form
- Amur Khabarovskhome3:1
- Avangard Omskhome0:4
- Salavat Yulaev Ufaaway2:1
- Traktor Chelyabinskaway1:3
- Torpedo Nizhny Novgorodhome1:2
- Torpedo Nizhny Novgorodhome3:4
- CSKA Moscowhome1:3
- Sibir Novosibirskhome6:3
- Avtomobilist Yekaterinburghome1:3
- Lada Togliattiaway0:1
Standings · Eastern Conference
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | Goals | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Barys | 21 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 71:57 | 25 |
| 4 | Ak Bars Kazan | 22 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 48:49 | 24 |
| 5 | Amur Khabarovsk | 21 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 42:35 | 23 |
Head-to-head
- 18.12.2025SKA Saint Petersburg3:2Ak Bars KazanKontinental Hockey League
- 28.11.2025Ak Bars Kazan5:2SKA Saint PetersburgKontinental Hockey League
- 25.08.2025SKA Saint Petersburg2:3Ak Bars KazanClub Friendlies
- 04.02.2025SKA Saint Petersburg3:8Ak Bars KazanKontinental Hockey League
- 15.11.2024Ak Bars Kazan3:2SKA Saint PetersburgKontinental Hockey League
About the match
- 2 November · 11:00 New York
- Venue: TatNeft Arena (Kazan)
Odds
Odds updated 01.11 11:10
A narrow home edge, with no line movement
The regulation-time market makes Ak Bars slight favourites at 40.2%, against SKA’s 37.2%, with the draw at 22.6%. A three-percentage-point gap indicates a close contest rather than firm confidence in home advantage. None of the listed markets has moved materially over the last 24 hours.
Over 4.5 goals carries a 57.6% market probability, while BTTS is assessed at 83.3%. The scoring expectation fits the recent head-to-head record and SKA’s defensive concessions, but Kazan’s modest recent output and weak power play weigh against a high total.
Our prediction
- Market
- Period 1: Both Teams To Score - No
- Current odds
- 1.32
- Confidence
- Our estimate
- 70%
- Market estimate
- 70%
- Status
- pending
The bet will be placed 1–3 hours before the match
