The second-stage quarter-final tie in the Regions Path of the FONBET Russian Cup 2025/26 between Arsenal Tula and Lokomotiv Moscow will take place on 5 March at the Khimki Arena. Arsenal Tula vs Lokomotiv Moscow: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Arsenal Tula
Arsenal Tula were stronger than Rubin Kazan in the previous round (0:0, 3:2 on penalties). The team have avoided defeat in regular time in five straight Russian Cup matches (three wins, two draws). However, for the first time in their last seven games in this tournament, Arsenal Tula failed to score. At the other end, the club have looked solid: they have kept a clean sheet in three of their previous four matches in the national cup.
- The team scored more than one goal in only three of their last 10 matches in the Russian Cup.
- The hosts opened the scoring in six of their last seven games in this tournament.
- In nine of their previous 11 matches in the national cup, the club conceded no more than one goal.
Potential Arsenal Tula Lineup (4-3-3)*
Mikhail Tsulaya – Kirill Bolshakov, Daniil Penchikov, Erving Botaka-Yoboma, Artem Popov – Ayaz Guliyev, Mateo Alinvi, Milos Brnovic – Kirill Bogdanets, Ivan Ignatyev, Edarlin Reyes.
Lokomotiv Moscow
Lokomotiv Moscow dropped into the Regions Path after their tie against Spartak Moscow. The Railwaymen lost both games (1:3, 2:3), although before that the team had avoided defeat in regular time in five consecutive matches in the national cup (four wins, one draw). Lokomotiv Moscow are reliving last season’s story. Back then, the club were also eliminated from the RPL Path in the very first round, and at the upcoming stage they beat Dynamo Makhachkala. What is more, for four seasons in a row the team have stumbled in the first play-off round of the tournament’s upper bracket.
- Lokomotiv Moscow scored at least twice in five of their previous seven games in the national cup.
- The visitors conceded in four of their last five matches in the Russian Cup.
- At least three goals were scored in four of the Muscovites’ previous five games in the national cup.
Potential Lokomotiv Moscow Lineup (4-3-3)*
Anton Mitryushkin – Maksim Nenakhov, Lucas Fasson, Cesar Montes, Evgeniy Morozov – Danil Prutsev, Artem Karpukas, Zelimkhan Bakaev – Dmitriy Vorobyov, Aleksandr Rudenko, Aleksey Batrakov.
Defender Evgeniy Morozov is injured. Forward Zelimkhan Bakaev is suspended.
Referee
Kirill Levnikov (Russia)
Matches – 6 (Russian Cup, 2023/24 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 24;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 17%.
Arsenal Tula vs Lokomotiv Moscow: Match Prediction
Arsenal Tula became the only First League representative to reach the spring stage. In all likelihood, only clubs from the Premier Liga will remain in the next round of the Russian Cup. Arsenal Tula are inferior to their opponents in terms of quality, and a little help could have come from the support of the fans. However, due to the stadium not being ready, the game was moved to neutral territory. After all, it was at home that Arsenal Tula beat Rubin Kazan in the previous round, but the Kazan side are currently well below Lokomotiv Moscow in terms of form.
Of course, Arsenal Tula will not go down without a fight and will surely try to cause problems for the opposition defence. The team score regularly in the Russian Cup and are also the most prolific side among the teams in the lower half of the First League standings. But the away team will have answers of their own. Lokomotiv Moscow are the Premier Liga 2005/26 leaders for goals scored, and in five of the club’s last seven games in the national cup they scored at least twice.
Prediction: Lokomotiv Moscow to win + Over 2.5 goals
* For each team, the starting line-up from its last match is listed.
