The Matchday 1 clash in the MIR Russian Premier League between Lokomotiv and Sochi will take place on July 19 at the RZD Arena in Moscow. Lokomotiv vs. Sochi: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Lokomotiv
Last season, Mikhail Galaktionov's side finished sixth in the Russian Premier League. Notably, the club ended the previous tournament with a six-match unbeaten run at home (2 wins, 4 draws). Additionally, the team scored at least one goal in each of their last 11 home games in the Premier League. Ahead of the new season, the Moscow side played five friendly matches, securing 3 wins (1 draw, 1 loss).
During the off-season, the team strengthened their squad with the addition of striker Nikolay Komlichenko and midfielder Zelimkhan Bakaev.
- In 7 of their last 8 home matches in the Russian Premier League, both teams scored.
- At least three goals were scored in 7 of the last 8 head-to-head meetings at Lokomotiv's home in the championship.
- The Moscow side did not score more than two goals in 18 of their last 20 Premier League games.
Predicted lineup for Lokomotiv (4-4-2)
Anton Mitryushkin – Alexander Silyanov, Maxim Nenakhov, Yegor Pogostnov, Evgeny Morozov – Dmitry Barinov, Alexey Batrakov, Artem Karpukas, Nikita Saltykov – Dmitry Vorobyov, Alexander Rudenko.
Sochi
Exactly one year after being relegated to the FNL, the team returned to the Premier League. Last season, the club finished fifth in the First League, but due to licensing issues with Chornomorets, they earned the right to play in the play-offs. In the promotion play-offs, Sochi defeated Pari NN with a 4-3 aggregate score. Notably, last season in the FNL, Sochi was the top-scoring team with 55 goals. The club scored in 7 of their last 8 away matches in the country's second-tier division. During the off-season, the club played 5 friendly games, remaining unbeaten in 3 of them (2 wins and a draw).
Among significant reinforcements are the loan of midfielder Anton Zinkovsky and the return of forward Saul Guarirapa.
- In 14 of their last 16 away matches in the First League, Sochi did not lose by more than one goal.
- In 10 of their last 12 FNL matches, the club scored at least one goal.
- Sochi remained unbeaten in 13 of their last 18 matches in Russia's second-tier division (10 wins, 3 draws).
Predicted lineup for Sochi (4-5-1)
Maxim Rudakov – Kirill Zaika, Makar Chirkov, Artem Makarchuk, Marcelo Alves – Alexander Osipov, Maxim Kainov, Anton Zinkovsky, Ruslan Bart, Martin Kramaric – Saul Guarirapa.
Referee
Evgeny Bulanov (Russia)
Matches – 14 (Russian Premier League, 2023/24–2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 54;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;
Red cards shown – 5;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 7%.
Match Prediction: Lokomotiv vs. Sochi
Lokomotiv has been effective at home, with both teams scoring in all but one of their last eight home matches in the Russian Premier League. Last season, the club's defense was often inconsistent, conceding more than one goal per home game on average in the Premier League. In 6 of their last 7 matches at the RZD Arena in this tournament, the team failed to keep a clean sheet. However, in the previous RPL season at home, the club performed well offensively, failing to score only against Krasnodar. Notably, new signing Nikolay Komlichenko scored 8 times in the last championship. I believe the forward is capable of scoring in the upcoming game.
Sochi, despite finishing fifth in the First League, was the most prolific team of the tournament. In 12 of their last 14 away matches in the FNL, Sochi scored at least one goal, but they also conceded in 4 of their last 5 away games in the First Division. Additionally, in 3 of the last 4 head-to-head meetings at Lokomotiv's stadium in the Russian championship, both teams scored.
Given the attacking potential of both teams and their uncertain defensive play, I predict: Both teams to score – yes
