Veles vs Volga Ulyanovsk

Veles Moscow host Ulyanovsk on October 4, a fixture that matters for both ends of the FNL table. Veles Moscow sit fifth after twelve rounds, well inside the promotion picture, while Ulyanovsk have slipped to 15th and need points to escape the relegation zone. Originally scheduled for later in the campaign, this rearranged round-21 clash now lands as an early test for both sides. Veles Moscow's form has cooled after a strong start, following a win over Arsenal Tula with draws against Ufa and Torpedo Moscow and a defeat to PFC Sochi. Zakhar Tarasenko leads their scoring with four league goals. Ulyanovsk needed penalties to see off Volgar in the cup before falling 0-1 to Leningradets in their last league game, with forward Vladislav Yakovlev, recently handed a new contract, still their main attacking outlet. Their recent head-to-head is even, with Veles Moscow winning two of the last four meetings, Ulyanovsk one, and one drawn. Our prediction: 2-1