Chelyabinsk vs Enisey - First League

The First League returns to the home ground on September 26, 2026, where Chelyabinsk and Enisey will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. O'Neill made five changes for Celtic's midweek win at St Johnstone as he rested some key players ahead of Sunday's clash.

Both camps will view the First League meeting at the home ground as an opportunity to put a marker down, regardless of where they currently stand. Chelyabinsk are still searching for momentum, DLLDL in their last five and a season win rate of just 20%. The visitors have been a mixed bag on the road, W in their last five and a win rate of 27.27% reflecting their unpredictability. Their respective approaches this season have differed noticeably, and the tactical contrast could prove telling. Their 3-0 win over Nice takes them up to second spot in the fledgling Ligue 1 table.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Chelyabinsk will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Enisey must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. Andoni Iraola could not have been clearer about how he plans to change Liverpool when speaking in his opening press conference.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. Midfielder David Ozoh's shot from outside the penalty area was deflected wide, and from the resulting corner delivered by Joe Ward, defender Dion Sanderson met the ball at the far post but could only head the ball back across goal.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. Expect a tight, competitive affair that could easily end all square at 1-1. With positions in the First League table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Liverpool's midfield wasn't great last year but I expect Florian Wirtz to have a better season, 100 per cent.