The first leg of the 2025/26 FONBET Russian Cup RPL Path semi-final tie between Dynamo Moscow and Spartak Moscow will take place on 5 March at the VTB Arena in Moscow. Dynamo Moscow vs Spartak Moscow: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Dynamo Moscow
In the previous round, few believed Dynamo Moscow would come through their tie with Zenit. The away side managed to beat their opponents on the road (3:1), and a narrow defeat in the return leg did not change anything. That said, the hosts lost in normal time for the first time in their last six matches in the national cup (three wins, two draws). They have also looked solid at the back during that spell, recording four clean sheets. It is also worth adding that the club have reached the RPL Path quarter-finals for a second consecutive season.
- At least one team failed to score in six of Dynamo Moscow's last seven matches in the Russian Cup.
- At home in this tournament, the hosts have failed to win five of their last seven matches (one draw, four defeats).
- At least three goals were scored in seven of the club's last nine home games in the national cup.
Potential Dynamo Moscow Lineup (4-3-3)*
Andrey Lunev – Maksim Osipenko, Dmitriy Skopintsev, Nicolas Marichal, Leon Zaydenzal – Rubens Dias, Daniil Fomin, Anton Miranchuk – Moumi Ngamaleu, Konstantin Tyukavin, Bitello.
The team are without defenders Bakhtier Zaynutdinov and Milan Majstorovic, forward Yaroslav Gladyshev, and midfielder Luis Chavez due to injury. Defender Nicolas Marichal and midfielder Daniil Fomin are suspended.
Spartak Moscow
In the previous round, the team beat Lokomotiv in both legs (3:1, 3:2). As a result, Spartak Moscow have won four straight matches in the national cup, scoring at least twice in each of them. However, the club have been giving opponents plenty of chances at the other end, with their run of games conceding standing at five. The visitors have taken a step forward compared to last season, when they were knocked out in the RPL Path quarter-finals following their tie with Rostov. They also have a strong chance of progressing again, as Spartak Moscow have avoided defeat in seven of the last eight official head-to-head meetings with the upcoming opponents (four wins, three draws).
- Both teams scored in the team's previous five matches in the national cup.
- Away from home in this tournament, the club are on a five-match winning run.
- There were goals in both halves in five of Spartak Moscow's last six away games in the Russian Cup.
Potential Spartak Moscow Lineup (3-4-3)*
Aleksandr Maksimenko – Daniil Denisov, Christopher Wu, Aleksandr Djiku – Ezequiel Barco, Nail Umyarov, Gedson Fernandes, Roman Zobnin – Manfred Ugalde, Marquinhos, Pablo Solari.
The team are without defenders Srdjan Babic and Ilya Samoshnikov due to injury. Forward Pablo Solari is suspended.
Referee
Ivan Abrosimov (Russia)
Matches – 7 (Russian Cup, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 17;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 32;
Penalties – 14%.
Dynamo Moscow vs Spartak Moscow: Match Prediction
The teams produced eye-catching performances in the Premier League after the season resumed. Dynamo Moscow recorded their biggest win of the current campaign (4:0). Their opponents played a part in it too, but it still gave the home side an extra boost of confidence. Spartak Moscow won their first match under the new head coach, but the old problems have not gone away. The club conceded twice against the tournament's biggest outsiders, even though they themselves could have put significantly more than three past Sochi. We do not think either side expended too much energy, so we can expect an attacking approach in this head-to-head as well.
Both head-to-head meetings between these sides this season were also high-scoring. Spartak Moscow rarely allow their matches to become dull. Both teams scored in five straight of the club's Russian Cup games. Dynamo Moscow have been conceding less in this tournament, but that comes with a caveat regarding the level of opposition: they managed to keep Krylya Sovetov Samara out twice and Sochi once. As a reminder, Spartak Moscow did not manage that against the latter.
Prediction: Both teams to score - Yes
* For each team, the starting XI from their previous match in this tournament is listed.