The Matchday 1 clash of the FONBET Russian Cup 2024/25 between Akron and Baltika will take place on July 29 at the Solidarity Samara Arena. Akron vs. Baltika: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Akron
For the team, this will be their second participation in the group stage of the RPL Path of the Russian Cup. Last season, Akron advanced to the Regional Path after finishing third in their group. The Togliatti side managed to overcome Shinnik in the first round of the playoffs (1-0), but were defeated by Spartak Moscow in the next stage (2-3). Notably, in the last 19 matches in the national Cup, the club has only lost in regular time five times (10 wins, 4 draws).
- The team has not lost in regular time in 8 of their last 11 home matches in the Russian Cup (6 wins, 2 draws).
- No more than two goals were scored in 90 minutes in 4 of the last 5 home games in this tournament.
- The Togliatti side scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in regular time in 7 of their last 10 home matches in the national Cup.
Predicted lineup for Akron (4-5-1)
Vitaly Gudiev – Roberto Fernandez, Ionut Nedelcearu, Marat Bokoev, Konstantin Savichev – Dmitry Pestryakov, Ifet Djakovac, Khetag Khosonov, Stefan Loncar, Aleksa Djurashovic – Artem Dzyuba.
Baltika
The Kaliningrad side will begin their participation in the Russian Cup from the group stage of the RPL Path for the second time. Their first appearance in the 2023/24 season was successful – the team reached the final, where they put up a strong fight against Zenit but ultimately lost 1-2. However, in the previous edition of this tournament, the club was stopped in the sixth round of the Regional Path, losing to Ural (0-1). Notably, in the last six matches in the national Cup, the Kaliningrad side lost in regular time only twice (3 wins, 1 draw) and conceded just four goals during this period.
- Exactly 2 or 3 goals were scored in 90 minutes in 5 of the last 7 away matches in the national Cup.
- Players scored in regular time in 7 of their last 8 away matches in this tournament.
- The Kaliningrad side did not concede more than one goal in 90 minutes in 5 of their last 7 away games in the Russian Cup.
Predicted lineup for Baltika (4-5-1)
Maxim Borisko – Amar Mohhamad, Mingiyan Beveev, Kevin Andrade, Nathan Gassama – Sergey Pryakhin, Andrey Mendel, Daniil Utkin, Yuri Kovalev, Maxim Petrov – Bryan Gil.
Match Prediction for Akron vs. Baltika
Home cup matches have been challenging for the Togliatti side recently. In the previous edition of the national Cup, Akron secured only one home victory, which came against Fakel. Overall, in the last five home matches in the Russian Cup, the team suffered three defeats and drew once. Notably, during this period, the club even lost to Volgar.
Baltika, on the other hand, has been performing well on the road in the national Cup: in their last ten away matches, the team lost only twice (5 wins, 3 draws). It is noteworthy that during this period, the Kaliningrad side managed to defeat opponents who are typically strong at home: Rostov, Krylia Sovetov, and Akhmat. The two losses in this period were against CSKA and Zenit, with the club even managing to challenge Zenit, losing narrowly 1-2.
I expect the Kaliningrad side to showcase their best qualities and at least not lose in regular time. My prediction: Baltika to win or draw
* Each team's lineup reflects their starting eleven from their previous match.
