Metalist 1925
- Metalist 1925’s coach Mladen Bartulovic has made a fantastic start to his tenure after being appointed in June 2025.
- He has brought a well structured 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 to Kharkiv that combines positional dominance with a quick transition into a pressing game when they don’t have the ball.
- The hosts have only lost once in their last five in all competitions (W2, D2, L1), and this includes a brave 4-3 away defeat to Hammarby IF and a tough 1-0 victory away to Molde FK.
- Vyacheslav Churko has been in good form for the hosts with three goals in his last five appearances, contributing to their seven goals scored across the last five matches.
- Denys Antyukh has been their most reliable goal scorer in the league with three in 13, but his lack of service could be addressed this weekend.
Kryvbas
- Kryvbas have also suffered in friendlies, with a three-game losing streak in their warm-up matches.
- Patrick van Leeuwen has headed up Kryvbas since June 2025, and in that time, he’s brought about a compact 4-5-1 or narrow 4-3-3 formation that focuses on midfield density, coordinated pressing and quick counters when the ball is won back.
- Yegor Tverdokhlib leads the line for Kryvbas with seven Premier League goals in 15 appearances, and he’s scored two goals in their last four games.
- He could be the dangerman this weekend.
Head-to-Head
- Metalist 1925 have failed to win any of their last three home games against Kryvbas Kriviy Rih.
- Kryvbas have the better of the recent head-to-heads, winning the last two including a 3-0 home victory last season.
Key Players
- Metalist 1925
- Vyacheslav Churko has been in good form for the hosts with three goals in his last five appearances, contributing to their seven goals scored across the last five matches.
- Kryvbas
- Yegor Tverdokhlib leads the line for Kryvbas with seven Premier League goals in 15 appearances, and he’s scored two goals in their last four games.
Betting Insights
- Kryvbas have been the better side so far this season, occupying fifth in the Premier League 2025/2026 table with 26 points from 16 games.
- Metalist 1925 are 7th with 24 points from 15.
- The odds favour the home team at 2.31 with Kryvbas coming in at 3.25, making the hosts slight favorites for the victory.
- Both Teams To Score is priced at 1.91.
Prediction
- Kryvbas have an advantage in the head-to-head and could cause the hosts problems with their high-pressing style.
- I’m getting a bet on Both Teams To Score at 1.91.
