- Team form: Chernomorets Novorossiysk is 16th in the FNL 2025/2026 with 29 points from 30 games.
- Recent stats: Sokol Saratov is 18th in the FNL 2025/2026 with 16 points from 30 matches.
Chernomorets should win this if they can get back to basics
Chernomorets Novorossiysk should take the full three points in their FNL 2025/2026 relegation battle with 18th-placed Sokol Saratov this Sunday, but the home team will have to get back to playing their best soccer to do it. Denis Popov was given the reins at Novorossiysk in January 2026 and has done a pretty good job of bringing the right kind of structure to the club.
His team controls possession, builds up patiently through the midfield and attack with two-footed pressure down the flanks. They have won six, drawn two and lost six of 14 home matches in the FNL 2025/2026 with an average of 1.36 goals scored per game and 1.36 conceded, suggesting the goal odds are fair in this contest.
Sokol’s lack of bite up top will count against them
Odds and style
The 1.86 quote for the hosts to win is fine, but the 1.76 on both teams to score - No looks too low for a clash of a controller against a reactive counter-attacking team. Sokol are set up to put bodies behind the ball and invite pressure before hitting on the counter-attack.
Coaching and key player
Evgeniy Kharlachev took over at Saratov in March 2026 with an immediate focus on getting the team to keep things tight and be more compact. While they have been doing that for the most part, the results haven’t been much better as the team has failed to capitalize on their counter-attacks.
We will probably see a similar approach in this game with Novorossiysk attempting to break down the visiting defense and Sokol looking to frustrate them and catch them on the break. Midfield engine and set-piece specialist Aleksandr Khubulov will be at the centre of their plans and the four-goal marksman could be Saratov’s main concern.
No confidence in Saratov to claim a draw
Sokol have lost their last five games and have won or drawn none of their last five matches. They have failed to win in each of their last two away games against this opponent, so it is hard to see how they can earn a result here.
- Novorossiysk have also lost their last two, one was a 4-0 away defeat to Neftekhimik.
- Saratov have drawn four and lost ten of 14 away matches in the FNL 2025/2026, scoring only four times.
- While this should be a goal-fest, Saratov’s toothless attack could fail to register even if the game is open.
