HK Avangard Omsk - Lokomotiv Yaroslavl predictions and free betting tips [26/03/2024]

We're deep into the playoffs of the Continental Hockey League's Gagarin Cup 2024. Quarterfinals. The series stands at 1:3. This potentially could be the final match for the hosts this season which makes it highly promising. Avangard Omsk will be hosting Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

Avangard Omsk

The Omsk team has managed the unbelievable, with a mid-playoff coach change, quite an unanticipated move but somehow Avangard pulled it off for the second time in their KHL history. Notably, Avangard managed a win in the third match streak, but they failed to sustain the momentum into fourth, as Lokomotiv swiftly took the lead leaving Avangard helpless.

In spite of a disallowed goal against Lokomotiv, Avangard couldn't hold off the second goal, assuring a victory for Lokomotiv. Now it will be intriguing to watch what Avangard serves up in the home game; it’s certainly going to be a crowd-puller, possibly just what Avangard needs to secure a second match series victory.

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl

Lokomotiv, on the other hand, seem unerringly focused despite the upheaval in the opposition camp. Coach Igor Nikitin has moulded a regimented team, who stay on track no matter the odds. Lokomotiv has had its low moments, like the loss on first and third match but they seem to effectively patch up weaknesses before the next game, and if they fail to wrap up the series in the fifth match, they are likely to seize the sixth game on home ground. That's the kind of adaptability Igor Nikitin’s team has shown this playoff.

Face off stats

Avangard Omsk and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl have a history of 34 matches between them. Of those, Avangard claimed 16 wins, whilst Lokomotiv clinched 18 wins. This season saw both teams securing victories of 4:1, however, the playoffs has seen Lokomotiv emerging on top with a 2:1 overtime win. In the second match, Lokomotiv swept the opponent off with a 7:0 victory, but the coach change on Avangard's side saw them fighting back and winning 2:1 in overtime. The fourth match victory went again to Lokomotiv with a score of 3:1.

The forecast

It seems highly unlikely that this series would wrap up in the fifth match, considering the evenly matched games this far.

Total over / under forecast

Without a doubt, the single option in the totals is TU (4.5). This is because three out of four matches in this series have fallen under this total.