Zenit vs CSKA Prediction
🔊 Which team will kick off with a victory in the final of the RPL Path of the Russian Cup?! The two-legged showdown begins in Saint Petersburg at the Gazprom Arena. Zenit, as the home side, are considered the favorites. However, this spring they failed to defeat CSKA at home, so it's not a foregone conclusion. Both teams have room for error and a chance to reach the main final through the Regions Path. We will explore various scenarios to ensure our prediction is well-founded.
Head-to-Head
The last official match between the teams took place on 01 March 2025 and ended with a score of 0:0. Let's compare the statistics from that encounter: Zenit Saint Petersburg vs CSKA Moscow
- ball possession percentage: 52% vs 48%;
- corner kicks: 5 vs 6;
- yellow cards: 2 vs 3;
- shots on target: 3 vs 12;
- fouls: 14 vs 28.
📊Analytical review of previous official games between the teams Zenit Saint Petersburg and CSKA Moscow:
- played 47 matches;
- number of wins for the home team - 23, for the away team - 11, draws - 13;
- number of goals (home/away) - 58 against 43;
- average total goals in the match - 2.15.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Zenit Saint Petersburg Team Overview
The team's most recent official match took place on as part of the Premier League tournament (home team - Dynamo Moscow, away team - Zenit Saint Petersburg). The match concluded with a scoreline of 1:1.
Here's the game statistics (Zenit Saint Petersburg vs Dynamo Moscow):
- ball possession: 50% vs 50%;
- corner kicks: 7 vs 4;
- fouls: 12 vs 16;
- yellow cards: 1 vs 2;
- shots on target: 6 vs 4.
⚪ Zenit might disrupt the championship streak in the Russian Premier League this season. They secured a decisive 4-1 victory over Krasnodar, which seemed like a pivotal match in the race for the top spot. This win narrowed their gap to just two points. However, their rivals haven't slipped up since, and last weekend, Zenit were held to a 1-1 draw by Dynamo Moscow. As a result, the gap has widened to four points, significantly denting their title hopes.
🔗 Zenit are not only eyeing the Russian Premier League title but also aiming for glory in the Russian Cup. Reaching the final through the RPL playoffs could prove more challenging than via the Regions Path. Nevertheless, the "Blue-White-Sky Blues" had a relatively favorable draw. In previous rounds, they didn't face any Moscow-based opponents. Zenit defeated Akhmat both at home and away, and then Rostov met the same fate, with Zenit keeping clean sheets in both legs of their encounter.
Match Results: Zenit Saint Petersburg
CSKA Moscow Team Overview
The visitors last played an official match on as part of the Premier League tournament (the hosts were Spartak Moscow, and the visitors were CSKA Moscow). The match concluded with a scoreline of 1:2.
Here are the match stats (CSKA Moscow vs Spartak Moscow):
- ball possession: 40% vs 60%;
- corner kicks: 2 vs 6;
- fouls: 12 vs 13;
- yellow cards: 5 vs 5;
- shots on target: 4 vs 3.
🔴 CSKA have been unbeaten this spring, securing seven wins and three draws. However, the team hasn't been at their best lately, a sentiment echoed by the players themselves. For instance, Igor Akinfeev hinted at the need for changes in their attacking play. Consequently, they dropped points against Krylia Sovetov (1-1), effectively dashing any remaining hopes for the title.
🔗 Heading into the derby against Spartak, the "Army Men" were considered underdogs. Yet, they took the lead before halftime thanks to Saul Guarirapa. The forward has netted three goals in the last five RPL rounds, which is surprising given he hadn't scored in the previous 12 matches. Spartak equalized from the penalty spot late on, but just two minutes later, Kristijan Bistrovic restored CSKA's lead, sealing a 2-1 victory. This win propelled them to third place in the league standings.
📌 CSKA's dip in form was also evident in the Russian Cup. In the previous round, they faced Dynamo Moscow and secured a convincing 3-1 win at home. However, on the road, they struggled to create chances, failing to register a single shot on target in the first half. While they didn’t score, they managed to keep a clean sheet.
Match Results: CSKA Moscow
Latest news
Zenit Saint Petersburg
📣 Zenit head coach Sergey Semak outlined the reasons behind their disappointing performance against Dynamo Moscow: "After scoring, unfortunately, we dropped back too deep, became less aggressive in our pressing, and allowed the opponent to equalize. Following that, the game turned chaotic, and we struggled to create chances that would enable us to score again."
📝 Although the season isn't over yet, Zenit are already looking to strengthen their squad in Brazil. Reports suggest the club are interested in Flamengo's Gerson and are prepared to make him the highest-paid player in the Russian Premier League. Zenit president Alexander Medvedev briefly commented on the speculation: "Now is not the time for negotiations."
❌ The team from St. Petersburg are preparing for their match with nearly a full squad. The only absentee is Vyacheslav Karavaev, who has been out since the winter training camp.
CSKA Moscow
🔝 CSKA have set a club record for goals from corners in a season (10) since statistics began being recorded. Leading in this category is Lokomotiv, who scored 12 goals from corner kicks last season.
📣 Jamalutdin Abdulkadyrov made his debut in the match against CSKA. The CSKA coach spoke highly of him: “I have mentioned him several times at press conferences. I said his time would come. And it has. He performed excellently during training camp. Today, his qualities-speed, aerial duels, composure with the ball-made a difference.” It's worth noting that the ball hit his hand inside the penalty area, but the referee did not award a penalty.
❌ Rodrigo Villagra is unlikely to play in the upcoming match, as he has not yet regained fitness to debut for CSKA since joining in the winter transfer window. Willian Rocha will miss the game due to an accumulation of yellow cards. However, Igor Diveev, who missed the game against Spartak, is expected to recover in time for Zenit.
Prediction on the outcome
H2H:
- number of encounters - 47;
- home team wins - 23, away team wins - 11, draws - 13.
Statistics: Zenit Saint Petersburg vs CSKA Moscow
- number of matches played in the tournament: 6 vs 6;
- number of wins: 9 vs 7;
- win percentage: 90% vs 70%;
- number of losses: 1 vs 1;
- number of draws: 0 vs 2.
Last 10 matches:
- number of wins: 6 vs 7;
- number of losses: 1 vs 0;
- number of draws: 3 vs 3.
- CSKA Moscow won with a +1.5 handicap in last 9 away games against Zenit Saint Petersburg.
- CSKA Moscow won with a +1.5 handicap in 46 of last 47 games.
- CSKA Moscow won with a +1.5 handicap in last 21 away games.
- CSKA Moscow won with a +1.5 handicap in last 12 games (Russian Cup).
- CSKA Moscow won with a +1.5 handicap in last 5 away games (Russian Cup).
Prediction on the over/under
H2H
- today's home team scores on average - 1.23, the guests - 0.91;
- average Over/Under goals in H2H matches - 2.15;
- both teams scored: overall - 19; at the home team's field - 11.
Statistics: Zenit Saint Petersburg vs CSKA Moscow
- average total in the tournament: 2.4 vs 1.6;
- average total goals scored: 2.1 vs 1.3;
- average total in the 1st half: 0.9 vs 0.5;
- average total in the 2nd half: 1.2 vs 0.8;
- Zenit Saint Petersburg: average total at home in the tournament - 3;
- CSKA Moscow: average total away in the tournament - 0.8;
- last 10 matches (average total): 1.7 (home - 2.2) vs 1.5 (away - 1.2).
- Under 2.5 goals scored in 8 of last 9 Zenit Saint Petersburg games against CSKA Moscow.
- Under 2.5 goals scored in last 5 CSKA Moscow away games (Russian Cup).
Prediction on corners
Zenit Saint Petersburg: Statistics
- season: average Over/Under in the tournament - 4.5; at home field - 5.6;
- last 10 matches: average Over/Under - 5.2; at home field - 5.8.
CSKA Moscow: Statistics
- season: average Over/Under in the tournament - 4.5, away - 5.2;
- last 10 matches: average Over/Under - 3.8; away - 3.2.
Prediction on cards
H2H
- average Over/Under yellow cards in H2H matches - 4.08 (2.04 for home team and 2.04 for away team);
- average Over/Under yellow cards at the home team's field - 5.33 (2.19 for home team and 3.14 for away team).
Zenit Saint Petersburg: Statistics
- season: average Over/Under in the tournament - 0.4; at home - 0.4;
- last 10 matches: average Over/Under - 1.4; at home - 1.2.
CSKA Moscow: Statistics
- season: average Over/Under in the tournament - 1, away - 1.4;
- last 10 matches: average Over/Under - 2.6; away - 2.8.
Prediction on BTTS
H2H:
- number of encounters - 47;
- both teams scored all-time - 19 times;
- on the home team’s field - 11 times.
Statistics: Zenit Saint Petersburg vs CSKA Moscow
- number of matches played in the tournament: 6 vs 6;
- number of matches in the season where both teams scored (BTTS): 3 vs 2;
- number of BTTS matches for Zenit Saint Petersburg at home - 1 (20%);
- number of BTTS matches for CSKA Moscow away - 0 (0%).
Last 10 matches:
- number of BTTS matches: 4 vs 5;
- BTTS matches for Zenit Saint Petersburg at home - 1 (20%);
- BTTS matches for CSKA Moscow away - 2 (40%).
Editorial Prediction
Considering the form of both teams and the statistical data from their previous encounters, the upcoming match promises to be tactically rich, with both clubs likely to exercise caution. Although Zenit typically dominate at home, recent trends suggest that CSKA have a decent chance here. The "Army Men" consistently challenge the St. Petersburg side, often taking points off them - they haven't lost to the champions by more than one goal since 2021. Therefore, our bet is on CSKA to win with a +1 handicap.
Betting Tips: Zenit Saint Petersburg - CSKA Moscow
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Comparison of Teams Stats
Other predictions
