Prediction: SKA win. Leading SKA team has strengthened with experienced players and has a good record. Metallurg has lineup issues due to injuries and player departures. SKA may take advantage of the opponent's weaknesses and secure the victory.
In the Metallurg Magnitogorsk - SKA St. Petersburg match, a low number of goals is expected. Both teams have strong defenses and tend to play conservatively on offense, which reduces the likelihood of a high-scoring game. Based on recent head-to-head matchups, the total goals scored has been under 5.5 in most cases, indicating a low-scoring trend. It is likely that in this match, the under 5.5 total goals would be the optimal choice.
In the Metallurg - SKA match, Magnitka is experiencing problems with their lineup and defense, as evident from their recent loss to Lokomotiv. SKA, on the other hand, is stronger, bolstered by newcomers from the NHL and aiming for victory. It is expected that SKA will be able to score at least three goals, taking advantage of Metallurg's weaknesses.