The second-leg match of the 1/4 final stage of the Regions Path in the FONBET Russian Cup 2025/26 between Baltika Kaliningrad and Zenit St. Petersburg will take place on 3 March at the Rostec Arena in Kaliningrad. Baltika Kaliningrad vs Zenit St. Petersburg: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Baltika Kaliningrad
Baltika Kaliningrad beat Torpedo 2:0 away from home in the previous round. That was only the team’s second win in regulation time in this Russian Cup campaign (one draw, four defeats), but it is worth noting that Andrey Talalaev’s men have scored in five matches during that run. We should also add that the home side have kept a clean sheet only for the second time in their last eight outings in the national cup. Now the club face Zenit St. Petersburg, a side Baltika Kaliningrad have not beaten in an official match in the 21st century.
- The team have scored more than once in just three of their last nine Russian Cup games.
- At home in this competition, Baltika Kaliningrad have failed to win five of their last seven matches (one draw, four defeats).
- At least one of the sides failed to score in five of the hosts’ last seven home games in the national cup.
Potential Baltika Kaliningrad Lineup (4-5-1)*
Maksim Borisko – Sergey Varatynov, Kevin Andrade, Natan Gassama, Mikhail Ryadno – Mingiyan Beveev, Maksim Petrov, Ivan Belikov, Andrey Mendel, Nikolay Titkov – Brian Gil.
Zenit St. Petersburg
Zenit St. Petersburg dropped into the lower bracket of the competition following their tie against Dynamo Moscow. After losing 3:1 at home, the team won the return leg by the narrowest of margins. It is worth noting that this was the only defeat for Sergey Semak’s men in their last eight games in the national cup (seven wins). What is more, in three of their previous four matches in this tournament, the club kept a clean sheet. Let us also recall that last season Zenit St. Petersburg reached the final of the RPL Path.
- The team have scored at least twice in six of their last eight Russian Cup matches.
- Away from home, Zenit St. Petersburg have won seven of their last eight matches in the national cup.
- In 11 of their last 13 away games in this competition, the club have not conceded more than once.
Potential Zenit St. Petersburg Lineup (4-5-1)*
Denis Adamov – Igor Diveev, Douglas Santos, Nino, Gustavo Mantuan – John John, Pedro Henrique, Maksim Glushenkov, Wendel, Wilmar Barrios – John Duran.
Referee
Inal Tanashev (Russia)
Matches – 6 (Russian Cup, 2021/22 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second cautions) – 28;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.7;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 34;
Penalties – 33%.
Baltika Kaliningrad vs Zenit St. Petersburg: Match Prediction
The two sides kicked off the Premier League round after the season resumed, and they will meet again in the first Russian Cup match of 2026. In Saint Petersburg, Zenit St. Petersburg had the edge, but Baltika Kaliningrad also caused Sergey Semak’s men problems. In the end, everything was decided by a single goal. We are confident the opponents will not serve up a glut of goals this time either. Andrey Talalaev’s side are almost flawless defensively at home. In their last seven home matches in the Premier League, the club have conceded just one goal. That run also includes a 0:0 draw with Zenit St. Petersburg.
Baltika Kaliningrad do not score much, and Zenit St. Petersburg are likely to dominate possession. The visitors rarely make full use of their control of the ball. Yes, it is difficult for opponents to breach Sergey Semak’s men, but the team themselves also rarely deliver a goalfest. That was clear in the recent meeting, and away from home in the Russian Cup, the club have not scored more than once in eight of their last 11 games.
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals
* For each team, the starting lineup from their previous match is shown.
