CSKA Moscow - Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk predictions and free betting tips [13/11/2023]

Continental Hockey League regular tournament 2023/2024. A quiet game day on Monday in the KHL doesn't bring any top-tier fixtures, but certainly promising some intriguing matches. For instance, we see CSKA Moscow, currently in an obvious slump, welcoming Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk who is desperately seeking points. 

CSKA Moscow

Arguably, CSKA, despite being written off by many, is expected to turn around their game when needed. However, they currently present a dismal sight indeed. Albeit plagued by 'satiety syndrome', there's dismissive clarity about overcoming this rut. Their Far East tour coupled with an ensuing home series elicit grave worries. Sequential defeats to Lada, Traktor and Avangard cannot be swept under the rug, especially in the eyes of the Army team's management. There's a growing concern over the potential sacking of Sergei Federov, but the situation isn't completely dire as yet. The seventh spot in the standings after 28 matches, trailing the fourth spot by eight points with two games in hand, isn't quite the worst position to be in. CSKA Moscow has totted up 30 points, thanks to 11 regular-time wins, three wins beyond normal time, and another two overtime losses. The remaining 12 matches resulted in defeats with no points accrued. Nevertheless, they rank fourth for goals conceded and fifth for goals scored in the West, which isn't too bad a situation. 

Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk

In comparison, Neftekhimik finds itself in a slightly more troubling situation than CSKA, trailing the seventh spot in the East by six points and behind eighth place by a solitary point. However, it doesn't appear dreadful for a team that started the season dead last in the conference and spent most of September in that position. Last year, Neftekhimik scored the bulk of its points only after the December break, suggesting the game is far from over. Currently, they sit ninth with 29 points amassed from nine regular-time wins, three wins beyond normal time, and five one-point losses. The other 12 matches ended in point-less losses. Unable to rectify their goalkeeper situation, Neftekhimik ranks second to last in terms of conceded goals in the conference, but their five-from-bottom position on the goals scored list is a genuine improvement. 

Head-to-Head

CSKA Moscow and Neftekhimik have locked horns 28 times, with the former claiming victory in 21 encounters, and the latter triumphing in the remaining seven. In their last encounter this season, CSKA came out top, winning 5:1.

Prediction

Despite CSKA's poor form in recent matches, Pinnacle still sees the Moscow Army men as favourites in this fixture. However, I would hesitate to back a CSKA win, given their recent inconsistent performances.