The Matchday 11 clash in the Russian Premier League between Akron and Zenit will take place on October 4 at the Solidarity Samara Arena. Akron vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Akron
In the previous round, the team suffered a 0-3 defeat away to Akhmat. This was Tolyatti's first major loss in the current championship and their fifth since the start of the tournament. Notably, Zaur Tedeev's side has conceded goals in eight consecutive Premier League games and ranks among the bottom four clubs for clean sheets (1) in the league. However, Akron has found the net in 15 of their last 17 RPL matches. In the standings, the team is in 14th place.
- At least three goals have been scored in 5 of Akron's last 6 league matches.
- The club has not won at home in six Premier League matches (3 draws, 3 losses).
- In 5 of their last 6 home games in this tournament, Akron has not scored more than once.
Predicted lineup for Akron (4-5-1)
Vitaliy Gudiev – Roberto Fernandez, Ionuts Nedelcearu, Rodrigo Eshkoval, Dmitry Pestryakov – Saltmurad Bakaev, Edgar Sevikyan, Konstantin Maradishvili, Stefan Loncar, Kristijan Bistrovic – Artem Dzyuba.
Midfielders Maxim Boldyrev and Aleksa Djurashovic are out injured.
Zenit
Maxim Glushenkov's four-goal haul helped the St. Petersburg side thrash Orenburg 5-2 in the last round. Sergei Semak's team ended a four-match goalless streak in the RPL, but they have scored at least two goals in five of their last six league matches. During this period, Zenit has collected 14 points (4 wins, 2 draws). Additionally, against Orenburg, the club recorded their best numbers of the season for shots on target – 11 (average 5.6). In the main standings, Zenit climbed to 4th place, reducing the gap to league leaders Krasnodar to two points.
- At least one opponent has failed to score in 5 of Zenit's last 7 Premier League matches.
- The team has not won in 4 of their last 5 away league matches (3 draws, 1 loss).
- In 11 of their last 13 away matches in this tournament, the club has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals.
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-5-1)
Denis Adamov – Douglas Santos, Nuraly Alip, Nino, Gustavo Mantuan – Maxim Glushenkov, Wilmar Barrios, Luis Enrique, Wendel, Pedro Enrique – Mateo Cassierra.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev is injured. Midfielder Gerson's recovery will continue until the end of autumn.
Referee
Sergey Tsyganok (Russia)
Matches – 7 (RPL, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 27;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 71%.
Akron vs. Zenit: Match Prediction
Tolyatti picked up 6 of their 7 points in the first four rounds, after which the team's results declined. Zaur Tedeev's side has lost 5 of their last 6 Premier League matches. Akron's opponents during this period were tough, and their next opponent is a title contender. Moreover, Zenit has gained momentum and secured 4 wins in their last 5 RPL matches, dropping points only against the resilient Baltika. Tedeev's side is far from matching Kaliningrad's level.
Akron's defense ranks among the tournament's worst, conceding at least two goals in six consecutive league matches. With such stats, Tolyatti is unlikely to hold off Zenit's attack, which has started to show the expected level of scoring. In their last six RPL matches, Zenit failed to score only against the aforementioned Baltika, while their other opponents conceded at least twice.
My prediction: Zenit to win and Total over 1.5 goals
