HC Lada Togliatti - Hc Sochi predictions and free betting tips [22/01/2024]

We're in for the Continental Hockey League regular championship 2023/2024. It's the third match of the gaming day and an obvious clash between the tournament's leading sensation and its ultimate underdog. Lada from Tolyatti is all set to host HC Sochi, from the eponymous city.

Lada Tolyatti

Time and again, Tolyatti has continued its pitched battle against the Eastern oligarchs for a top-4 conference finish. But they seem to be doing quite well, staying strongly in the fight. They are dangerously close - one simple victory away – from taking fourth place in the conference. On the flip side, they are also just a defeat away from dropping to seventh. Such is the current proximity of the East's tournament table teams.

Lada's had seven points in its last five matches, exactly like all its competitors, it's truly at par. With three victories along with two defeats, one of which additional point, accurately like Avtomobilist and Traktor. Currently positioned fifth in the conference after 55 matches, Lada has amassed 65 points. Interestingly, Lada has been maintaining a zero goal difference throughout the season, with an equal tally of 137 goals scored and conceded. They're at 5th place over goal scored and 6th over goal conceded.

HC Sochi

HC Sochi has finally managed to secure a victory after a string of 15 consecutive defeats. Prior to its match against Ak Bars, HC Sochi hadn't won since November, yet pulled through with a 3:1 score. Nevertheless, in a follow-up match against Traktor, despite a respectable play up to the 1:1 score, HC Sochi crumbled after conceding a goal and faced yet another crushing defeat, this time by 6:1.

As it stands, HC Sochi is at the very bottom of the league, having accumulated only 36 points after 53 matches. These points are the result of 12 regular time victories, three more outside of regular time, and an additional six overtime losses. Currently, HC Sochi holds the league record for allowing the most goals – 205.

Head-to-Head

Lada and HC Sochi have played 10 matches against each other with Lada winning just two, while HC Sochi came out on top eight times. This season, HC Sochi proved the stronger in a 5:4 shootout victory.

Prediction

Naturally, Lada goes into this match as the bookies' favourite. Therefore, it seems smart to place the bet on Lada's victory since the coefficient, although low, seems quite confident.

Total Prediction

Nevertheless, I find the option of ITO1 (3.5) at 2.30 much more appealing. This is mainly because HC Sochi has been conceding so many goals, and with Lada's lead attackers back in play, scoring four goals against Sochi seems entirely possible.