Match Report
On the table this was a mismatch: Neftekhimik (11th, 43 pts) held a 17-point advantage over Sokol Saratov (17th, 26 pts). On the form table Sokol Saratov stood 2nd over the last five rounds, despite being 17th overall. Against a league average of 1.16 goals per team per game, Sokol Saratov ran at 0.47 scored and 1.29 conceded, Neftekhimik at 1.18 and 1.21.
Sokol Saratov entered with three losses in a row. Recent form was uneven: 1/15 points for Sokol Saratov, 8/15 for Neftekhimik.
11 meetings are on record — 0 won by Sokol Saratov, 4 by Neftekhimik, 7 drawn, at 1.82 goals per meeting. The host's record in this fixture is thin — 9% of meetings won.
Half-time and full-time told different stories: Neftekhimik led 2-0 at the break, before 1 more goal closed it at 0-3.
Goal scorers
Neftekhimik: Islam Mashukov (5'), Islam Mashukov (23'), Andrey Nikitin (86')
Key stats
Possession: Sokol Saratov 56% · Neftekhimik 44% · Corners: 6-3