FK Sochi vs Nizhny Novgorod

Both sides head to Stadium Fisht as early pacesetters in Russia's First League, each chasing a quick way back to the top flight. Pari NN currently sit top of the table, while Sochi have climbed into the promotion picture after a strong opening stretch of their own, making this an early test for two sides with bigger ambitions. Pari NN won their first six matches before suffering their maiden defeat of the campaign against Veles, then responded by beating SKA-Khabarovsk under coach Vadim Garanin, whose staff now includes Dmitri Kombarov. Sochi, relegated from the Premier League last season, have matched that intensity, coming from behind to beat KAMAZ 3-2 thanks to goals from Oleg Kozhemyakin and Mikhail Ignatov before Zakhar Fedorov struck a stoppage-time winner. The pair also share recent history: Sochi edged Pari NN in last season's relegation play-off to preserve their top-flight status, adding a competitive edge to this reunion in the second tier. Our prediction: 2-1.