Rostov vs Lokomotiv Prediction 18 August 2026
🔊 Lokomotiv have not lost in their last four away matches at Rostov, but the Railwaymen's current form is far from ideal. Rostov have every chance to end that run and beat a weakened opponent at home. Jonathan Alba's side have picked up momentum and are ready to take advantage of Moscow's problems in the second round of the Russian Cup group stage.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over 45 matches, Lokomotiv have a significant advantage: 25 wins, 11 losses and 9 draws. The average total goals per match is 2.6, and both teams scored in 53% of matches, including 4 of the last 5 across all competitions.
Head-to-head statistics Rostov - Lokomotiv
Rostov Team Overview
Rostov dropped points in their last RPL match against Rubin. The team were leading after the first half - Timur Suleimanov scored on the 31st minute - but in the second half Jacques Sivé converted a penalty to level the score. The match was even: by xG the visitors outperformed the hosts (1.27 vs 0.68), but the penalty distorted the picture. In shots Rostov were ahead - 13:9 and 4:1 on target.
In their first Cup of Russia match Rostov played a mixed squad. The starting lineup included both key players - Olusegun, Melekhin, Prozin - and squad players: Petrov, Madrakhimov, Aznaurov. In the match against Rubin the manager made substitutions only late on, just three changes. Some of the key players will again miss the cup match, but even a mixed Rostov side looks preferable to a Lokomotiv in crisis.
Match Results: Rostov
Lokomotiv Moscow Team Overview
Lokomotiv continue to slide towards the bottom of the Premier League table. In the last round they drew 1:1 with Orenburg, scoring in the third minute but failing to hold on for the win. In terms of play, the Moscow side looked worse than their opponents. Problems remain both in defence and in attack - Mikhail Galaktionov has yet to find the right approach to his team's tactical work.
In the cup match, the visitors will be more depleted than usual. Transfer rumours are affecting the squad's mood: Karpukas is close to joining Zenit, Batrakov - Galatasaray. It is likely that Lokomotiv will have to play against Rostov without their main playmaker of the last two seasons. This is a serious loss that will affect the organisation of attacks and the team's overall sharpness.
Match Results: Lokomotiv Moscow
🟨 Yellow Cards Prediction
Lokomotiv foul fairly often in general, both in the RPL and in the Cup. The team makes mistakes in the final third, which leads to quick counter-attacks from the opposition. Stopping those counter-attacks means breaking the rules and picking up yellow cards. If the match follows this pattern, the visitors could receive more bookings. We go with Lokomotiv winning the yellow cards market at a very attractive 2.47*.
⚽️ Goals Prediction
Lokomotiv, despite all their injury problems, remain a team capable of scoring. And Rostov don't look like an impenetrable fortress either. Rostov have conceded in 8 of their last 9 Cup matches, while Lokomotiv have scored in 10 of 11 in this competition. We're looking at Lokomotiv to score at 1.28*.
🚩 Corners Prediction
Lokomotiv have been passive in attack in recent matches and are looking to exploit their opponents' mistakes more than anything else. This doesn't lead to a high number of corners. In five recent matches, the Moscow side have lost the corners battle three times, while Rostov have won it in 4 of their last 5 matches. We go with Rostov winning the corners market at 2.18*.
*Odds are approximate and may vary across different bookmakers.
⭐ Editor's Pick
Both teams are looking to take all three points. Lokomotiv lost to CSKA in the first round of the Cup, while Rostov beat Akron and could top the table with another win. Given the uncertainty over the visitors' squad, it's hard to pick a favourite, but there is interest in looking at the scoring in this match. In Lokomotiv's last five Russian Cup matches, at least three goals were scored. We're going with total goals over 2.5. Predicted score - 2:1.
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Betting Tips: Rostov - Lokomotiv Moscow
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