The Matchday 1 fixture of the Russian Premier League between Pari NN and Krasnodar will take place on July 20 at the Ak Bars Arena in Kazan. Pari NN vs. Krasnodar: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Pari NN
Nizhny Novgorod finished 13th last season and had to play in the relegation playoffs to retain their spot in the Premier League. The clash with Sochi did not go in their favor (2-1, 1-3), but due to Khimki's exclusion from the championship, Pari NN will play their fifth consecutive season in the Premier League. Notably, they scored just 27 goals in the last RPL season, with only Fakel having a worse record (14). In preparation for the tournament, Nizhny Novgorod played four friendly matches, achieving uncompromising results with 2 wins and 2 losses.
During the off-season, Alexei Shpilevsky took charge of the team. Pari NN parted ways with several loaned players, and the contracts of defenders Kirill Gotsuk and Stanislav Magkeev expired. Meanwhile, midfielder Daniil Lesovoy joined the club. Defender Alexander Ektov is sidelined for a long period due to injury.
- The team has not won 9 of their last 11 league matches (2 draws, 7 losses).
- Nizhny Novgorod has not scored more than one goal in 10 of their last 11 RPL games.
- The club has conceded at least one goal in 13 of their last 14 games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Pari NN (4-4-2)
Nikita Medvedev – Maksim Shnaptsov, Viktor Alexandrov, Sven Karic, Juan Camilo Castillo – Nikita Kakkoev, Mamadou Maiga, Vladislav Karapuzov, Nikolay Kalinsky – Juan Boselli, Vyacheslav Grulev.
Krasnodar
Krasnodar narrowly missed out on the championship in the final round of the 2023/24 season, but in the last tournament, the team did not repeat this mistake, winning the RPL title for the first time in their history. Murad Musaev's side scored 59 goals, making them the second most prolific team after Dynamo (61). Krasnodar conceded just 23 goals, with only one better defensive record in the Premier League – 22 goals in the 2016/17 season. The team has already played an official match, losing narrowly to CSKA in the Super Cup.
Defender Kaio and forward Fedor Smolov have left the team. New signings include defender Jubal, midfielder Douglas Augusto, and forward Gustavo Furtado.
- Both teams scored in 5 of Krasnodar's last 7 Premier League games.
- The team has won 9 of their last 11 matches in this tournament (2 losses).
- Krasnodar scored first in 9 of their last 11 RPL matches.
Predicted lineup for Krasnodar (4-5-1)
Stanislav Agkatsev – Lucas Olasa, Diego Costa, Vitor Tormena, Giovanni Gonzalez – Eduard Spertsyan, Alexander Chernikov, Joao Bachi, Nikita Krivtsov, Victor Sa – John Cordoba.
Referee
Evgeny Kukulyak (Russia)
Matches – 11 (RPL, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 43;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 9%.
Pari NN vs. Krasnodar: Match Prediction
It's unfortunate for Nizhny Novgorod to start the season against the champions, especially as they are likely frustrated by their Super Cup defeat. Alexei Shpilevsky's side will have to play several games on neutral territory, and fan support played a significant role in Pari NN's four-match unbeaten home run at the end of last season. Additionally, the club has lost to Krasnodar in their last six Premier League encounters.
Krasnodar has made some strategic signings to defend their title. Even after the winter break, the team showed excellent results, winning 9 of 12 RPL games, with the two losses coming against second and third-placed Zenit and CSKA. Krasnodar generally has no trouble against lower-ranked opponents. I believe the nominal visitors will comfortably secure three points this time.
My prediction: Krasnodar to Win
