Fakel – Krylia Sovetov

Torch should not be considered a favourite

On Saturday, 24 May, Fakel will play at home against Krylia Sovetov. Surprisingly, Samara are still fighting for survival. There is a scenario in which a defeat could drop Igor Osinkin's team into the knockout matches. Fakel are already out, but Voronezh are motivated to fight for 15th place with Orenburg. In the RPL, the basement of the table is not limited by the sporting component. Fakel can still save themselves and according to the regulations. The latest disturbing news just concerned Krylia Sovetov. Samara and Khimki had not received their licences as of Thursday evening. There are questions about the financial situation. In this regard, it is not ruled out that the 15th team in the RPL table will get a chance to qualify for the knockout matches. In other words, Fakel have a direct sporting motivation. Another important story for Voronezh is to avoid the anti-record for goals scored. So far, the club has scored only 13 goals. Anzhi had the same number six years ago. Fakel risks remaining in the black history of the championship. Igor Shalimov's team scored only two goals in 2025. In recent matches, Fakel have obvious positive dynamics: they scored a goal against Rubin in Kazan defended a nil-nil draw with Spartak, lost to Lokomotiv by one goal and snatched a draw away to Paris NN. So it's not a doomed outsider at all. Wings, on the other hand, seem to have ended the season much earlier than they should have. The team settled down with 30 points. What followed was a finishing slump. The Samaritans conceded 10 goals in three games. Especially painful was the defeat from Pari NN. Krylia Sovetov conceded five goals and four from one forward Juan Boselli. In the match against Spartak, Krylia may have had the spirit, but everything was spoilt by Glenn Bale's quick dismissal. The legionnaire made a mistake in the 10th minute. The fate of the match was sealed. Krylia's lineup, despite the suspensions of Bale and Fernando Costanza, is clearly superior to Fakel. It is all the more surprising that bookmakers consider Igor Shalimov's team to be the favourites for the match. However, Fakel can't really play first choice - they lack creative players. Fakel is a convenient opponent for Krylia. In the last three face-to-face meetings, Voronezh didn't even score against Samara. It's doubtful that Krylia will come to Voronezh just to serve their number. It's possible that this will be the last match for Igor Osinkin. The club is now in a kind of uncertainty. There is motivation to show quality football to the regional leadership. Earlier, the angry Krylia have already surprised: for example, they defeated Lokomotiv, scoring five goals. The visitors are definitely capable of picking up a point.