Sochi - Orenburg predictions and free betting tips [04/10/2023]

Today a match for the Path RPL Russian Cup will begin between teams currently showing weaker performance compared to the previous season. FC Sochi, last in the line-up in the Premier Football League (Mir-RPL), will compete against Orenburg - the group "A" leader that beat Zenit on their home field just a few days ago.

Orenburg

Last season, the Orenburg's players showed outstanding results in the Mir-RPL, finishing in the upper half of the tournament table. They even surpassed Moscow's "Dynamo". However, the rostering changes during the off-season significantly affected the team's state. "Orenburg" had to part ways with their head coach who brought the team back to Russia's football elite. Marcel Lischka, who decided to level up, signing a contract with Moscow's "Dynamo". The team was taken over by Irzhi Yaroshik. Still, he failed to accomplish set objectives. Technically, he wasn't let go from his duties, but everyone understood it was only a matter of time, as "Orenburg" won just one out of the first 8 matches of the season. The team is now led by David Deogracia, who has significantly improved the current situation. With the Spanish expert at the helm, "Orenburg" moved up to the 11th spot, distancing itself from the promotion play-offs. In the Russian Cup, "Orenburg" leads the quartet and holds good chances of advancing to the Path RPL play-offs. 

Sochi

The representative from Sochi complied with a silver medalist of the Mir-RPL a couple of years ago, but the team slid to the last place in the recent tournament. Alexander Tochilin's charges initially maintained a decent average level for season start, defeating "Baltika" and "Rostov" in the championship. Since then, Sochi experienced a streak of bad luck. The last victory of "Sochi" dates back to 19th of August, when they scored 4 goals against FC Rostov. The "Leopards" haven’t been able to win or even score a single point in their last seven official matches. Aging players, alongside newbies, proved unable to positively influence results in the Championship and the Russian Cup. After the first 4 group stage matches of the Path RPL, Sochi is in third place in the group, having managed to collect five points due to their victory against Fakel and their loss to CSKA via penalties. 

Head-to-Head 

Sochi and Orenburg met in seven official matches. Orenburg came out victorious from four matches, while Sochi recorded a single win. The other two encounters ended in a draw.

Prediction

Orenburg will collect 3 points. Sochi is currently not in very good form, failing to win in their seven last matches consecutively, which has psychological repercussions and raises doubt about the trust in the head coach's operations. They will have a tough time combating the invigorated Orenburg under the tutelage of their new coach.