Genève-Servette HC vs. ZSC Lions Prediction on January 15, 2025

Match info

Genève-Servette HC are two games away from returning to the final of the Champions Hockey League (CHL), a European first-level men’s club ice hockey tournament, after becoming the first Swiss team to win the European trophy nearly a year ago. They’ll play fellow Swiss challengers ZSC Lions in what will surely be a fierce Bo2 series between two very ambitious teams. On Wednesday, January 15, at 8:15 p.m. local time, Servette will host the first leg at their Patinoire des Vernets, and will do so from the position of underdogs by ice hockey online betting sites’ odds.

Meeting statistics

The current form of Genève-Servette HC

Servette secured their second consecutive trip to the semi-finals by defeating the Fischtown Pinguins 6-2 on aggregate in their quarter-final series. It’s difficult to believe that, at one point, Servette were in danger of missing the postseason before turning things around and becoming their usual deadly selves. They went on to decisively defeat both playoff opponents, with their most recent attempt against the Germans serving as yet another example of their skill with the puck.

The Swiss team managed to silence the Pinguins in the opening game to keep a significant lead in scoring and never fell behind in total points during their quarter-final matchup. They have the second-best goals-per-game average (3.90%) up front. Servette are in the top 10 in goals against (2.50 goals per game) and fourth in penalty kill percentage (88.24%) on the back end.

However, in contrast to the Lions, “Les Aigles” (or the “Eagles”) don’t have a single star player; instead, their scoring is dispersed throughout the lineup, with Sakari Manninen taking the lead in points after Michael Špaček left for Sparta Praha. Servette’s ability to score goals hasn’t been hindered by this, either, and they may benefit going forward since they may use players who can contribute in any circumstance.

The current form of the ZSC Lions

The Zurich-based team qualified by defeating Eisbären Berlin by a 9-7 aggregate in their close two-game series. Even though they struggled much more than their next rivals to reach the semis, they are the favorites in the first leg, with odds of 1.65 on BetNeptune. Servette are 2.10.

In their eighth season since the competition’s inception in 2014–15, the Lions finally be ready for semi-final action after coming close twice during their time in the CHL, and with good reason. They made their first and final appearance in the top four during exactly during the competition’s maiden season. The northern Swiss club has been exceptional this season, finishing in the top 10 in both penalty kill percentage (ninth) and powerplay conversion rate (ninth), while also recording the highest goals for (4.00) and second-best goals against (2.00).

The Lions’ latest series against the “Polar Bears”, however, revealed a worrying lack of defense in the early going, despite the fact that they easily overcame a number of their opponents this season. The Germans took consecutive three-goal leads in the series before the Swiss came roaring back. The Lions are at the top of the statistics for a number of reasons, including this offensive explosion, but the Swiss would be well advised to settle in early if they want to continue their CHL adventure.

For a team that has Sven Andrighetto and Denis Malgin as its first and second-place point leaders, this should be doable. Andrighetto has scored 17 points (7G, 10A) in nine games, while Malgin has scored 15 points in eight games, landing six goals and dishing out nine assists. Together, the two have scored seven points in their team’s series against Berlin.

Head-to-head

These two have faced 73 times, with the Lions having 40 wins. Servette recorded 33. Each regular-time tie between these two was resolved in overtime, so draws didn’t go into the head-to-head stats. In the last 20 games, both teams recorded 10 wins, but the Lions won six straight games against Servette.

Match analytics

With comparable success both with and without the puck, Servette and the Lions are statistically on an even playing field. Both teams have great alternatives between the pipes. Servette may use Antti Raanta, who has been perfect in his three starts, while the Zurich team uses Šimon Hrubec, who has been perfect in eight games. Fans of both teams will be in for a treat when the puck drops in both of these series’ games, as both teams have played fantastic hockey throughout the season. This series could see either club advance to the final. We’d go for a lot of goals here.

Tip: Total goals – over 5.5, with odds of 2.15 on Fuksiarz.