Which contender will emerge victorious in the clash of outsiders?
Ready to dive into the gig? Alrighty then, let's get this show on the road!
Bet your boots, October 22's gonna be a scorcher in Mytishchi when China's underdogs Kunlun take on Kazakhstan's Barys. These two championship dark horses are about to lock horns at "Arena - Mytishchi" with the puck dropping at 17:00 Moscow time. Buckle up, buttercup!
So, what's the lowdown on these rink-rattlers?
Kunlun
The last few seasons for the Chinese club have been more of a circus than a contest to fight for a playoff spot. Kunlun usually surrenders all hope of the playoffs by the end of December or early January, transforming the rest of the championship into a series of friendly scrimmages. But the start of this season was something to write home about, as Kunlun even joined the group of leaders in the Western Conference, securing several major victories. They managed to knock off Spartak, CSKA, and Metallurg Magnitogorsk, which was a big upset.
However, their Cinderella story was short-lived, ending by mid-September. Since then, Kunlun has returned to its usual form, alternating between occasional victories and long losing streaks. After their surprising victory over Metallurg, the Chinese club lost ten consecutive matches, dropping back to the bottom of the standings. Kunlun's losing streak ended in the last regular season game, as they managed to secure two points in Minsk by defeating local Dynamo in overtime. Despite this success, Kunlun remains second-to-last in the West, with 16 points, ahead of only Vitiaz.
Barys
If Kunlun's failure was somewhat expected, Barys' poor start to the season surprised many experts. To some extent, the blame for the failed start of the championship can be placed on the club's management, which has not yet formed the team's core. The constant turnover of players does not contribute to a normal working process, so Andrei Skabelka, in essence, has become a victim of the situation. Under the Belarusian specialist's guidance, Barys has played 15 games in the current championship, managing to secure only three victories.
As of now, Barys' current head coach is the domestic specialist Galym Mambetaliyev, but it's clear that this is a temporary arrangement. His arrival somewhat shook up Barys, which managed to secure two consecutive wins over Traktor 2-1 and Moscow Dynamo 3-2, but the team then reverted to its usual state, again going on a three-game winless streak. As a result, Barys is currently 11th in the East, five points behind the coveted 8th spot.
Stats n' Stuff
Barys' last five visits to the Chinese club have been successful for the Kazakhstan representatives. Five wins, with overtime needed in three matches as the main time ended in a draw. Notably, Kunlun has not scored more than two goals against Barys in home matches since 2018. The overall history of these teams' interactions in the KHL is as follows: 20 games played, 5 wins for Kunlun, 15 for Barys, with a goal difference of 52-40 in favor of the Kazakhstan representatives.
Ligastavok Coefficients
It's quite rare in hockey for a bookmaker to set identical coefficients for the victory of each team. Both Kunlun's success in regular time and Barys' victory are offered by Ligastavok at a coefficient of 2.6. Another draw with subsequent overtime in this rivalry can be taken at 3.9. As for the total result of the teams, the bookmaker offers the following odds: Over(4.5) - 1.9, Under(4.5) - 1.9.
Prediction
Both teams are currently disappointing their fans more often than pleasing them, and this is a great opportunity for both to secure a full two points. The teams are roughly on the same level, so both should go out and play to win, not just defend. Our prediction is Total goals over 4.5 at a coefficient of 1.9.
So, there you have it, mate! Kick back, grab a cold one, and join the excitement as Kunlun and Barys clash in Mytishchi on October 22nd. May the best team win, and may the puck fly true!
Tips hat and saunters off into the sunset
On October 22, Kunlun and Barys, two struggling teams in the KHL, will face off at "Arena - Mytishchi". Though Kunlun started the season well, they have since returned to their usual form, with a mix of occasional victories and long losing streaks. Meanwhile, Barys has had a poor start to the season, with a temporary coach and only three wins in 15 games. In their last five visits to Kunlun, Barys has emerged victorious, with overtime needed in three matches. Despite both teams' disappointing performances, the Ligastavok coefficients for their victories are identical, at 2.6 each. The bookmaker offers odds of 1.9 for over 4.5 goals in the game. This upcoming hockey match between Kunlun and Barys could offer an exciting show for sports fans.
