PFC Sochi — Ural: preview
We discuss the lineups for the PFC Sochi and Ural match in the context of the sixteenth round of the 2026/27 First League.
A fierce battle among the candidates for promotion to the RPL. "Sochi" has separated itself from the competitors, but if it loses its advantage it will be minimal.
Key points
PFC Sochi
1. "Sochi" has not lost five consecutive matches
Only one match ended in a draw — before the break for the national teams "Sochi" could not beat "SKA-Habarovsk" (1:1). In October we saw the best result, three wins out of three. Although the reserve depth remains insufficient. A week ago "Sochi" only won by a larger goal difference once in the season: they overturned the away game at "Textilshik" (3:1), despite an early goal conceded. But even that game could have been completely different if Timofey Mitrov had not taken the penalty in 1:1.
However "Sochi" returned to give its best and consolidated even more in the top‑2. The gap to third place increased to four points. Since the fifth round, the team has accumulated 28 points out of 33 possible — the best result alongside "Nizhny Novgorod". If not for the poor start, "Sochi" could even fight for the top spot.
2. "Sochi" has a short reserve
Due to squad losses, the reserve for the match against "Textilshik" had only seven players. One of them, 21‑year‑old midfielder Mark Nosatý, is not allowed to play even a minute. Igor Osiňkin has to reinforce or refresh the team, but mainly the attackers. The defensive line can only be updated with Oleg Kozhemяkin — and he was the one who was substituted on Saturday as a replacement for central midfielder Alexander Metsiев.
3. Home matches are worse than away matches
In the fall, "Sochi" won only one of three matches at its own stadium: it barely beat "Ufa" thanks to a questionable penalty goal. There was also the mentioned draw against "SKA-Habarovsk" and the loss to "Nizhny Novgorod" (0:1). Overall, in seven matches since the start of the season, it earned 13 points — the seventh figure in the league (in the points lost "Sochi" shares the fourth place). The strongest opponents beaten are "Ufa" and "Volga" from the middle of the table. Both matches against competitors ended poorly, except "Nizhny Novgorod" in July where "Sochi" gave up to "Spartak" (0:2).
Ural
1. A miraculous goal from the goalkeeper saved the third penalty
The break in the national team period took "Ural" out of its rhythm. Before the break, it had not lost in 11 league matches; October began with two defeats to "Velos" and "Nizhny Novgorod". The team fell to sixth place, and Sergey Yuran got very nervous: he complained about the refereeing and promised to go to the FSB.
The last game with "Chelyabinsk" was also difficult, but here "Ural" showed character and scored three goals from the 70th minute. The winning goal was striking: in the last part, goalkeeper Alexander Selihov surprised with a penalty (!) . One of the brightest moments in league history helped reduce the tension and return to the top‑four position.
2. Begich returns to the team
Yuran threatened to file a complaint with the FSB over the dismissal of Silvie Begich in the match against "Nizhny Novgorod" — the Croat received two consecutive yellow cards for talking to the referee. No further sanctions were imposed, so "Ural" was left without its main defender only in the battle with "Chelyabinsk". Symbolically, Vitaliy Stezho, who replaced Begich, also received a dismissal after two yellows. He will now serve the penalty, and Silvie must appear in the defensive trio from the first minute.
3. No away defeats
Although in September it lost in the Russian Cup, the game with the second team can be set aside. In the league, "Ural" has no defeats in eight matches. In addition, it used to split points — in the first five matches it only beat "SKA-Habarovsk" from the relegation zone (3:0). But before the trip to Sochi, "Ural" had already won three consecutive matches.
The productive streak continues for seven games. However, during that time only two "dry" matches were formed, but normally "Ural" allowed a maximum of one goal — the trend broke only in the confrontation with "Arsenal" (2:2).
Estimated lineups
3-4-2-13-4-2-15
1 Mitrov 3 Soldatenkov 3 Alvesh 4 4 Stoych 17 Marachuk 6 6 Metsiев 5 Osipov 27 Zaika 8 Ignatov 28 Magal 9 Fedоров 57 Selihov 2 Begich 15 Tikhiy 16 Italо 17 Karapuzov 6 Sungatulin 22 Kordeir 59 Harin 97 Ishkov 37 Bondarев 10 Sekulich
Trend betting
In three of the last four home matches of "Sochi" against "Ural" both teams scored. OZ — yes for 1.81.
In three of the last four home matches "Sochi" against "Ural" more than two goals were scored. TB 2.5 for 2.05.
Prediction
PFC Sochi vs Ural 01.11.2026 18:00
Among the candidates for the second place in the RPL, "Sochi" seems more stable than all. A week ago it achieved the third consecutive win, the unbeaten streak reached five matches. Since the fifth round, 28 points out of 33 possible have been accumulated — the best indicator in the league alongside "Nizhny Novgorod". Osiňkin's team keeps the leader's pace, but here it is characteristic that rare fouls occurred in home matches. In its own stadium, "Sochi" has not yet beaten anyone stronger than the mid‑table, both meetings with competitors ended in goalless defeats.
"Ural" increased significantly in away stadiums. If it previously almost pushed matches to draws, against "Sochi" we saw a series of three victories in the league. The last trip to "Chelyabinsk" was especially bright: "Ural" earned the three points of will thanks to the goalkeeper Selihov's penalty goal — in the 87th minute. After such a miracle, Yuran's team probably does not want to lose the next match — the most likely result seems a draw with a fight. Prediction: 1-1
