The Matchday 29 clash in the Russian Premier League between Rostov and Zenit will take place on May 18 at the Rostov Arena. Rostov vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Rostov
In the last round, Jonathan Alba's side suffered a 0-1 defeat away to Rubin, conceding the decisive goal late in the game. As a result, Rostov lost for the first time in their last four league matches (1 win, 2 draws). Additionally, the team failed to keep a clean sheet for the 10th time in their last 11 Russian Premier League (RPL) matches. In the standings, Rostov sits in eighth place with 38 points.
- The club has not lost in 5 of their last 7 home matches in the RPL (3 wins, 2 draws).
- The team has not scored more than once in their last four home league matches.
- Rostov has conceded a maximum of one goal in 6 of their last 7 home matches in the Premier League.
Predicted lineup for Rostov (4-3-3)
Rustam Yatimov – German Ignatov, Maksim Osipenko, Umar Sako, Andrey Langovich – Konstantin Kuchaev, Kirill Shchetinin, Daniil Shantaliy – Egor Golenkov, Ronaldo, Nikolay Komlichenko.
Defender Viktor Melyokhin will miss the game due to injury.
Zenit
Sergei Semak's side defeated Dynamo Makhachkala 1-0 away in the last round. As a result, Zenit extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven matches (5 wins, 2 draws). Additionally, the team kept a clean sheet for only the second time in their last six Premier League matches. Zenit has accumulated 60 points and remains in second place in the standings, with the gap to leaders Krasnodar reduced to one point. Notably, the club has conceded the fewest goals in the current championship (18).
- The team has not lost in 7 of their last 8 away matches in the Premier League (5 wins, 2 draws).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 5 of the club's last 6 away games in the RPL.
- Zenit has scored exactly one or two goals in their last seven away league matches.
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-5-1)
Evgeny Latyshonok – Yuri Gorshkov, Vanya Drkushich, Nino, Douglas Santos – Gustavo Mantuan, Wilmar Barrios, Luciano Gondou, Pedro Enrique, Luis Enrique – Alexander Sobolev.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev and midfielder Wendel will miss the match due to injuries. Midfielder Luciano Gondou's participation in the match is in doubt.
Referee
Evgeny Kukulyak (Russia)
Matches – 9 (RPL, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 30;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.3;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 11%.
Match Prediction: Rostov vs. Zenit
Recently, Rostov has struggled in their home matches, failing to win any of their last four league games. Furthermore, the team has decreased its scoring output, netting only two goals in this period. However, the club continues to perform well defensively, conceding no more than one goal in 6 of their last 7 home Premier League matches.
Zenit has shown some inconsistency in their recent away games, securing only one win in their last four away matches in the RPL (2 draws, 1 loss). This victory came against Dynamo Makhachkala, which is positioned in the lower part of the standings. Moreover, Zenit has not been prolific in front of goal, failing to score more than once in 7 of their last 10 away league matches.
It's also worth noting that in the last two head-to-head encounters at Rostov's ground in the Premier League, the teams have combined for only two goals. I do not expect a high-scoring match this time either, so my prediction: Total under 2.5 goals
