The Matchday 5 clash in the Fonbet Russian Cup 2025/26 Regional Path between Arsenal Tula and Sokol will take place on October 15 at the Arsenal Stadium. Arsenal Tula vs. Sokol: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Arsenal Tula
In the previous round, Arsenal Tula secured an away victory over Volna with a 3-0 scoreline. This marked only their second win in regulation time over the last seven matches in the Russian Cup (3 draws, 2 losses). Arsenal's goal-scoring streak in this tournament has now reached four games. However, the team kept a clean sheet for the first time in their last four Russian Cup encounters. Notably, Arsenal has failed to progress past the 5th round for four consecutive seasons.
- The team has not scored more than one goal in 5 of their last 7 Russian Cup matches.
- At home, Arsenal has not won in regulation time in their last 8 matches in this tournament (3 draws, 5 losses).
- In their last 6 home games in the national cup, the club has conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals.
Predicted lineup for Arsenal Tula (4-5-1)*
Alexander Melikhov – Kirill Bolshakov, Alexey Berdnikov, Nikita Karmaev, Ilya Moskalenchik – Danil Lipovoy, Mateo Alinvi, Dmitry Sergeev, Tigran Avanesyan, Alexander Troshechkin – Uros Djuranovic.
Sokol
In the last round, Saratov's Sokol defeated Broke Boys 2-0. For the first time in six Russian Cup matches, Sokol managed to keep a clean sheet. Meanwhile, Sokol extended their scoring streak in this tournament to six matches. It's worth noting that the team has lost in regulation time in only one of their last five national cup games (2 wins, 2 draws). Last season, the club failed to progress past the 5th round.
- Both teams have scored in 5 of Sokol's last 6 Russian Cup matches.
- Away from home in this tournament, the team has not lost in regulation time in 5 matches (2 wins, 3 draws).
- In 6 of their last 8 away games in the national cup, Sokol has conceded at least one goal.
Predicted lineup for Sokol (4-5-1)*
Timur Kraykov – Damir Shaykhtdinov, Alexey Dolya, Artem Bykov, Nikita Gloydman – Anton Mukhin, Sergey Gribov, Kirill Nikitin, Pavel Kirienko, Vladislav Lazarev – Gleb Baharev.
Referee
Andrey Prokopov (Russia)
Matches – 6 (Russian Cup, 2023/24 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 20;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.3;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 17%.
Match Prediction: Arsenal Tula vs. Sokol
The teams met 10 days ago in the First League. The match in Saratov ended in a 1-1 draw. I believe there will be goals in the upcoming match, but Arsenal is more likely to achieve a positive result.
Sokol tends to secure points at home, but they are less convincing on the road. Mladen Kascelan's side is the worst away team in the current FNL season, having lost 5 of 6 matches. In the Russian Cup, they have recorded wins on the road, but these were against lower league teams and media teams in the previous stage.
Arsenal, on the other hand, has only lost at home to the tournament leader this season (1 win, 5 draws). It's important to note that there have been goals from both sides in all of Dmitry Gunko's home matches during this stretch. Additionally, Arsenal has not lost to Sokol at home in their last 4 official head-to-head meetings.
My prediction: Arsenal Tula will not lose and Total Over 1.5 goals
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match in this tournament.
