The Matchday 3 clash in the Russian Cup 2025/26 between Baltika and CSKA will take place on August 27 at the Rostech Arena in Kaliningrad. Baltika vs. CSKA: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Baltika
Kaliningrad's team suffered another defeat in the second round, this time against Lokomotiv (0-2). Notably, Baltika has only one victory in their last six Russian Cup matches (1 draw, 4 losses). However, the club has scored in 6 of their previous 8 games in this tournament. Under the guidance of Andrey Talalaev, they are at the bottom of Group D. Additionally, the team has conceded the most goals in the group – 4.
- In 5 of their last 6 matches in the national Cup, Kaliningrad's team conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals.
- At home, Baltika has not won 5 of their last 7 matches in this tournament (1 draw, 4 losses).
- In 7 of their last 9 home games in the Russian Cup, the team has not scored more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Baltika (4-4-2)
Ivan Kukushkin – Amar Mohhamad, Alexander Filin, Diego Luna, Nathan Gassama – Nikolay Titkov, Daniil Utkin, Yuri Kovalev, Ivan Belikov – Tenton Yenne, Chinonso Nnamdi.
CSKA
The Army Men lost in a penalty shootout to Akron in the last round (1-1, 4-5 on penalties). However, in regulation time, the team has not lost in 13 of their last 14 Russian Cup matches (8 wins, 5 draws). Additionally, in 9 of these matches, the Moscow team kept a clean sheet. Fabio Celestini's side occupies 2nd place in Group D and is 4 points ahead of Kaliningrad's team.
- At least one opponent failed to score in 10 of CSKA's last 13 national Cup games.
- Away from home in this tournament, the team has not won 6 of their last 8 matches (4 draws, 2 losses).
- In 10 of their last 12 away games in the Russian Cup, the Moscow team has not scored more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for CSKA (4-4-2)
Vladislav Torop – Matvey Lukin, Dzhamalutdin Abdulkadyrov, Milan Gajic, Mikhail Ryadno – Mateus Alves, Matvey Kislyak, Artem Bandikyan, Lionel Verde – Sekou Koita, Tamerlan Musaev.
Midfielder Rodrigo Villagra and forward Alerandro are injured.
Referee
Inal Tanashov (Russia)
Matches – 7 (RPL and Russian Cup, 2021/22 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 32;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 30;
Penalties – 0%.
Match Prediction: Baltika vs. CSKA
Kaliningrad's team has been impressive this season. They have not lost in 6 of their 8 matches (3 wins, 3 draws), with both defeats coming in away games in the national Cup. At home, in the Russian Cup, the club has not lost in 8 of their last 11 matches (4 wins, 4 draws). It's important to note the opponents from whom Andrey Talalaev's team managed to take points in the RPL, including Moscow's Dynamo, Spartak, and Lokomotiv. These teams are comparable in level to CSKA.
The reigning trophy holder has been unable to win in their last 4 away matches in the national Cup. Moreover, during this period, the Army Men have scored only one goal. Over the weekend, Fabio Celestini's side will play a crucial match in the championship against Krasnodar, so the head coach is likely to rest key players. Without them, it will be difficult to improve their away record in the Russian Cup: CSKA has not won 6 of their last 8 away matches in this tournament (4 draws, 2 losses).
My prediction: "Baltika to win or draw"
