Leningradets vs Tekstilshchik

Leningradets and Tekstilshchik meet in a fixture that matters more than a mid-September date on the calendar suggests. Both clubs are stuck in the lower half of the Pervaya Liga table with just six points from their opening rounds, and neither can afford to fall further behind in the race away from the relegation zone. Form has been rough on both sides lately. Tekstilshchik have won only once in their last five, including a heavy 1-4 loss to Torpedo, while Leningradets managed a win over Sochi and two draws before slipping to Kamaz in their most recent outing. Keep an eye on Maksim Bachinsky, who scored for Leningradets against Veles and spent two seasons at Tekstilshchik, and Nikolai Ischenko, who found the net for Tekstilshchik against Torpedo. The pair split last season's meetings, with Leningradets winning 2-0 away before a goalless draw in the return leg. Our prediction: 1-1