- Home form: Kryliya Sovetov Samara have won two and drawn one of their last three home games.
- Away form: Akron Tolyatti have won one and drawn the other of their previous two away assignments.
- Betting: A home win for Kryliya Sovetov is priced at 2.25, with Over 2.5 goals at 1.97 and Both Teams to Score - Yes at 1.71.
Samara derby adds extra edge
Table and local stakes
There is little between Kryliya Sovetov Samara and Akron Tolyatti in the Russian Premier League table, with the hosts 12th with 29 points from 29 games and the visitors 13th on 27 from the same number of matches. But there’s more on the line than just three points on Sunday as the two sides from the Samara region face off in a local derby and both will be desperate to gain the bragging rights.
Recent meetings
Kryliya have the better form of late, having won two, drawn one and lost two of their past five, but they have failed to beat Akron in their last three meetings. The last meeting was a 1-1 draw at Akron's home and, although the home side’s record against their local rivals isn’t great, their recent record at home is.
Kryliya have been hard to beat at home
Home form
Magomed Adiyev’s side have won six, drawn six and lost only two of their 14 home games in the Premier League, averaging 1.43 goals per game scored and 1.14 conceded per game, and they have won their two most recent outings at the Samara Arena.
Kryliya's style
A compact, pragmatic style with plenty of players behind the ball has been Adiyev’s trademark and it seems to have rubbed off on the players. Kryliya are not always the most attractive side to watch and can be frustrated by teams that play at a higher tempo, but they are organised and can be deadly on the break.
Akron's approach
Akron, in contrast, operate with a more vertical approach and press hard. Zaur Tedeyev has installed a more attacking system since taking over as head coach in December 2023 and it has certainly made them more dangerous in transition, but they are vulnerable at times. Tedeyev’s team is physical and plays with an intensity and speed that can unsettle the opposition, but they can get caught out in behind.
Tolya could be vulnerable on counter-attacks
Recent form
The visitors have been poor of late, with only one win, two draws and two defeats in their past five games and they have lost back-to-back matches. Their away record this season is five wins, two draws and seven defeats in 14 Premier League matches, scoring an average of 1.21 goals per away assignment.
Key players
This should be a closely-fought encounter with a lot of intensity as these two sides will not want to give their rivals anything to gloat about come Monday morning. Both teams should be scoring and there is a possibility of at least three goals, but Kryliya’s better home form and solidity at the back should see them edge the game out.
- Akron can always rely on the threat of Artem Dzyuba up front as the veteran striker leads the club’s scoring charts with eight in 26 league games.
- Kryliya’s goals have been more evenly spread, but Ivan Oleynikov has been the key man with five in 24 league appearances and three of his team’s last six.
