The first leg of the Fonbet Russian Cup 2024/25 RPL Path final between Zenit and CSKA will take place on April 30 at the Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg. Zenit vs. CSKA: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Zenit
Sergey Semak's team confidently overcame Rostov in the previous round, defeating the opponent in both matches (1:0 and 2:0). As a result, the St. Petersburg side extended their unbeaten run in regular time in the Russian Cup to 16 matches (12 wins, 4 draws). Furthermore, Zenit has kept a clean sheet for the seventh time in this tournament after 90 minutes. The team has also been effective in attack, scoring 21 goals in the current national Cup, second only to Lokomotiv (23).
- The club has not lost in regular time in their last 16 home matches in the Russian Cup (12 wins, 4 draws).
- The team has scored at least two goals in 90 minutes in 6 of their last 8 home games in this tournament.
- The St. Petersburg side has not conceded in regular time in 8 of their last 9 home matches in the national Cup.
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-5-1)
Denis Adamov – Dmitry Chistyakov, Vanya Drkushich, Nuraly Alip, Yuri Gorshkov – Ognen Mimovic, Ilzat Akhmetov, Ilzat Akhmetov, Pedro Enrique, Mateo Cassierra – Alexander Sobolev.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev will not play due to injury.
CSKA
Marko Nikolic's side proved stronger than Dynamo Moscow in the previous round (2:1 and 0:0). Consequently, the Moscow team extended their unbeaten run in regular time in the Russian Cup to nine matches (6 wins, 3 draws). Additionally, CSKA has managed to keep a clean sheet in 7 of their last 8 matches in this tournament. It is worth noting that the team has conceded only three goals in the current Russian Cup campaign and, along with Zenit, ranks among the top two clubs in this regard among those still in the tournament. However, their scoring efficiency is low, with 13 goals in ten matches in the current Russian Cup.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 13 of their last 14 away matches in the national Cup (5 wins, 8 draws).
- At least one opponent failed to score in 90 minutes in seven of the team's previous away matches in this tournament.
- No more than two goals have been scored in regular time in CSKA's last ten away matches in the Russian Cup.
Predicted lineup for CSKA (4-3-3)
Igor Akinfeev – Milan Gajic, Igor Diveev, Willian Rocha, Moises Barbosa – Ivan Oblyakov, Matvey Kislyak, Miralem Pjanic – Saul Guarirapa, Sekou Koita, Abbos Faizullaev.
Defender Willian Rocha and forward Sekou Koita will not play due to yellow card accumulation.
Referee
Sergey Ivanov (Russia)
Matches – 9 (Russian Cup, 2022/23 - 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 32;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 16;
Penalties – 33%.
Prediction for Zenit vs. CSKA
Zenit feels very confident at home in cup matches and often achieves their goals. Zenit is particularly strong in defense, allowing few threats from opponents: in their last 16 home matches in the national Cup, the team has conceded only four goals in 90 minutes. One of these was an own goal, and in the match against Akron in this tournament's current edition, Sergey Semak's team conceded while already leading 5:0.
CSKA focuses on solid defense in away games and avoids taking excessive risks. This style limits their chances and scoring opportunities. Moreover, in their last six away encounters in the Russian Cup, the club has only scored in regular time in two matches. It's also worth noting that in their last head-to-head on Zenit's field in this tournament, CSKA players failed to score in 90 minutes.
I believe Zenit will have no trouble containing the opponent's attacks. I expect Sergey Semak's team not to concede against the Moscow side, so my prediction: CSKA Individual Total Under 0.5
