The Matchday 19 Russian Premier League fixture between Dinamo Makhachkala and Rubin Kazan will take place on 28 February at Anzhi Arena in Kaspiysk. Dinamo Makhachkala vs Rubin Kazan: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Dinamo Makhachkala
Dinamo Makhachkala resume the season in the relegation play-off zone, although the gap to the safe 12th place is only two points. The club can boast just three wins in the current campaign (6 draws, 9 defeats), while their defence is the envy of some teams in the top half of the standings. Dinamo have conceded only 21 goals, and by this metric the club sit in the top five. However, they have scored just eight goals — the worst tally in the Russian Premier League. In pre-season, the team found the net more often, which helped them post decent results: seven wins and one draw in nine friendlies.
- At least one of the two teams failed to score in Dinamo Makhachkala’s last five Premier League matches.
- In this competition, Dinamo Makhachkala have failed to win five of their last six home matches (2 draws, 3 defeats).
- In four of their last five home league games, the team failed to find the net.
Vadim Evseev has been appointed as the club’s new head coach, replacing Khasanbi Bidzhiev. We should also note the departure of defender Imadeddine Azzi.
Potential Dinamo Makhachkala Lineup (4-4-2)
Timur Magomedov – Temirkan Sundukov, Mohamed Azzi, Mutalip Alibekov, Idar Shumakhov – Nikita Glushkov, Mehdi El-Mubarik, Oussama Mrezig, Razhab Magomedov – Gamid Agalarov, Mohammadjavad Hosseinnezhad.
Defender Yan Djapo has recovered from a serious injury. Defender Dzhemal Tabidze is suspended.
Rubin Kazan
Rubin Kazan made a decent start to the season, but their results then began to slide. In their last seven league matches, the team have recorded just one win (2 draws, 4 defeats) and went into the winter break in seventh place in the standings. At the same time, Rubin’s goals scored (16) is the fourth-worst figure in the division. The club failed to score in six of their last seven Russian Premier League matches, and overall they have eight scoreless games — only Dinamo Makhachkala and Pari Nizhny Novgorod have blanked more often. In training camp, however, Rubin won six of their seven friendlies (1 defeat).
- No more than two goals were scored in Rubin Kazan’s last six Premier League matches.
- Away from home, the club have lost four of their last five league matches (1 draw).
- The team have conceded in seven of their last eight away games in the Russian Premier League.
Rubin Kazan have also changed head coach, appointing Franc Artiga, who has previously worked in Russia. Among the newcomers, we would highlight midfielders Nazmi Gripshi and Ignacio Saavedra.
Potential Rubin Kazan Lineup (4-5-1)
Evgeniy Staver – Igor Vujacic, Konstantin Nizhegorodov, Anderson Arroyo, Denil Maldonado – Dardan Shabanhaxhaj, Ilya Rozhkov, Ignacio Saavedra, Bogdan Yocic, Veldin Hodza – Jacques Siwe.
Midfielders Dmitriy Kabutov, Aleksandar Yukic, Ugochukwu Iwu, Anton Shvets, Daler Kuzyayev, and striker Mirlind Daku are recovering from injuries. The first three are definitely ruled out for the upcoming match.
Referee
Ivan Abrosimov (Russia)
Matches – 8 (Russian Premier League, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 42;
Yellow cards per match – 5.2;
Red cards shown – 1;
Fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 13%.
Dinamo Makhachkala vs Rubin Kazan: Match Prediction
The teams’ unsatisfactory results have led to coaching changes, and in such circumstances it is difficult to predict the outcome of the upcoming match. Both sides did fairly well in friendlies, but it is also unwise to lean on those results ahead of the official season restart. In their first match in charge, neither manager will want to make mistakes, which means we can expect a cautious game. Given the clubs’ league numbers, that is unlikely to produce a goal fest.
Despite having a player like Daku, the visitors have had problems in the final third. Eight matches without a goal is not a great figure for a club of this level. It is also worth noting that the striker had health issues in pre-season, and it is not certain he will be in good shape. At the same time, the away team do not suffer defensive collapses, and in terms of clean sheets they trail only three opponents.
It will be difficult to expect a scoring upturn from the home side as well. The club have not made any significant attacking signings, while Vadim Evseev is reshaping Dinamo Makhachkala towards a more attacking style. However, scoring freely in friendlies is one thing — in the first competitive match, they may still rely on their solid defence.
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals
