Match Report
The table gap was wide: 24 points between Khimki (1st, 66 pts) and Neftekhimik (11th, 42 pts). The last five rounds placed Neftekhimik no better than 16th for form, against 11th in the standings. Against a league average of 1.1 goals per team per game, Khimki ran at 1.65 scored and 1.15 conceded, Neftekhimik at 0.91 and 1.03.
Khimki had won three straight. Momentum sat with Neftekhimik, winners of their last three.
5 previous meetings sit in the GioScore records — Khimki 3, draws 1, Neftekhimik 1, at 3.2 goals per meeting. 60% of the meetings finished with three goals or more, and both sides scored in 60%.
Stadion Rodina in Khimki staged the fixture, a ground that holds 18,636. On the scoreboard, Neftekhimik led 2-0 at the break; 2 second-half goals set the final 1-3.