Akron Togliatti Form
The few positive emotions the Togliatti side took from the draw with Akhmat Grozny were crushed by a heavy defeat to Lokomotiv Moscow in the previous round (1:5). As a result, Akron Togliatti have lost five of their last six league matches, and in every defeat they have conceded at least twice. Overall, the club have 38 goals against them – poor defensive play is one of Akron Togliatti’s main problems. Largely because of that, Zaur Tedeev’s side have moved dangerously close to the relegation play-off zone, with the gap to it reduced to just one point. At the same time, with 27 goals scored, the club remain one of the most prolific teams among those in the bottom half of the standings.
- Both teams to score landed in six of the Togliatti side’s last eight Russian Premier League matches.
- At home, the team have avoided defeat in five of their last six league games (1 win, 4 draws).
- In nine of their last 11 home matches in this tournament, Akron Togliatti have not scored more than once.
Potential Akron Togliatti Lineup (4-3-3)
Vitaliy Gudiev – Yomar Rocha, Dmitriy Pestryakov, Ionut Nedelcearu, Marat Bokoev – Khetag Khosonov, Ifet Djakovac, Nikita Bazilevskiy – Artem Dzyuba, Benshimol, Maksim Boldyrev.
Defender Rodrigo Escoval is suspended.
CSKA Moscow Form
Thanks to last round’s win over Dinamo Makhachkala (3:1), CSKA Moscow ended a run of four straight league defeats. It was also the first time in their last 11 Russian Premier League matches that the team scored more than twice. However, CSKA Moscow are still not looking reliable at the back – the Army Men have conceded in a fifth consecutive Premier League game. Meanwhile, the match against Dynamo Moscow was one of their best of the season for corners won – 9 (5.4 on average). The three points helped the club retain fifth place in the standings.
- CSKA Moscow average 13.6 shots per match.
- Away from home, the team have lost five of their last six league matches (1 win).
- In six of their previous eight away Russian Premier League games, the Moscow side conceded first.
Potential CSKA Moscow Lineup (4-3-3)
Igor Akinfeev – Danil Krugovoy, Milan Gajic, Kirill Danilov, Matvey Lukin – Ivan Oblyakov, Dmitriy Barinov, Matvey Kislyak – Tamerlan Musaev, Enriqe Carmo, Kirill Glebov.
Defender Moises Barbosa has returned to training with the first team.
