The second-stage quarter-final tie in the Regions Path of the 2025/26 FONBET Russian Cup 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, won on penalties 3:2). 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 competition, 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 have not scored more than one goal in seven of their previous 10 matches in the Russian Cup.
- Arsenal Tula opened the scoring in six of their last seven games in this competition.
- In nine of their previous 11 matches in the national cup, the club have conceded no more than one goal.
Potential Arsenal Tula Lineup (4-3-3)*
Mikhail Tsulaya – Kirill Bolshakov, Daniil Penchikov, Erving Botaka-Ioboma, Artem Popov – Ayaz Guliev, Mateo Ahlinvi, 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 matches (1:3, 2:3), even though before that the team had gone five consecutive games without losing in regular time in the national cup (four wins, one draw). Lokomotiv Moscow are repeating last season’s story. Back then, the club were also knocked out of the RPL Path in the very first round, and then beat Dinamo Makhachkala at this stage. What is more, for four seasons in a row the team have stumbled in the first play-off round of the upper bracket of the tournament.
- Lokomotiv Moscow scored at least twice in five of their previous seven games in the national cup.
- The capital club conceded in four of their last five matches in the Russian Cup.
- At least three goals were scored in four of the last five matches involving Lokomotiv Moscow in this competition.
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 (the Russian Cup, 2023/24–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 24;
Yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 2;
Fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 17%.
Arsenal Tula vs Lokomotiv Moscow: Match Prediction
Arsenal Tula have become the only representative from the First League to reach the spring stage. With a high degree of probability, only clubs from the Premier League will remain in the next round of the Russian Cup. Arsenal Tula are inferior to their opponents in terms of quality, and the team could have been helped by the support of their fans. However, due to the stadium not being ready, the game was moved to a neutral venue. After all, it was at home that Arsenal Tula beat Rubin Kazan in the previous round, but the side from Kazan 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 the opposition defence problems. The team score regularly in the Russian Cup, and they are also the most prolific among the clubs in the lower half of the FNL standings. However, Lokomotiv Moscow will have an answer. Lokomotiv Moscow are the top scorers in the 2005/26 Premier League, and in five of their last seven games in the national cup the club scored at least twice.
Prediction: Lokomotiv Moscow to win + Over 2.5 goals
* Each team’s starting line-up is listed from its previous match.
