The Matchday 2 clash in the Russian Premier League between CSKA and Akhmat will take place on July 27 at the VEB Arena in Moscow. CSKA vs. Akhmat: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
CSKA
The Moscow side began the season with a draw away at Orenburg. CSKA accumulated an xG of one goal, yet failed to score for the first time in their last 12 Premier League matches. Meanwhile, Igor Akinfeev recorded his 263rd clean sheet in the RPL – a tally matched by both Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Ovchinnikov combined, who occupy the second and third places. Additionally, CSKA remains unbeaten in 15 consecutive league games (9 wins, 6 draws).
- The club scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 7 of their last 8 RPL matches.
- CSKA has won 5 of their last 6 home games in this tournament (1 draw).
- In their last 6 home Premier League games, the Moscow side has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for CSKA (4-4-2)
Igor Akinfeev – Moisés Barbosa, Matvey Lukin, Willian Rocha, Milan Gajić – Mateus Alves, Matvey Kyslyak, Ivan Oblyakov, Danil Krugovoy – Artem Shumansky, Tamerlan Musaev.
Midfielder Rodrigo Vilagra is sidelined with an injury.
Akhmat
In their previous outing, the Grozny side suffered a 0-2 home defeat to Rubin. This result extended their winless streak in the league to seven matches (2 draws, 5 losses), with Akhmat conceding first in six of these encounters. Notably, the club registered the most shots on goal (24) in the first round but failed to breach the Kazan defense.
- Akhmat has not scored more than one goal in 6 of their last 7 Premier League games.
- The team has not won on the road in 8 league matches (3 draws, 5 losses).
- The Grozny side has conceded in 12 of their last 13 away matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Akhmat (4-5-1)
Georgi Shelia – Turpal-Ali Ibishev, Darko Todorović, Miroslav Bogosavac, Nadi Gandzri – Egash Kasintura, Lechi Sadulaev, Ismael Silva, Manuel Kelianu, Brian Mansilla – Mohamed Konate.
The club has bolstered its squad with defenders Usman Ndong and Mehdi Zare. Midfielders Anton Shvets and Luna Diallo have left the team.
Referee
Sergey Ivanov (Russia)
Matches – 13 (RPL, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 45;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.5;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 36%.
Match Prediction for CSKA vs. Akhmat
Both teams likely expected a better start to the season. The Moscow side couldn't overcome Orenburg, considered one of the tournament's underdogs, while Alexander Storozhuk's men lost to Rubin at home, despite rarely losing on their own turf. On the road, however, Akhmat has been underwhelming: in the last RPL season, they achieved only one away victory (5 draws, 9 losses). With such results, it will be challenging for them to secure points against CSKA, who have not lost at home in 7 Premier League matches.
Moreover, I anticipate a low-scoring affair in the upcoming game. CSKA, though consistent in finding the net, is not expected to produce a goal fest. Notably, in the previous round, they failed to score against Orenburg for the first time in their history. However, CSKA's defense and goalkeeping remain solid, which could be crucial against Akhmat, who have not scored more than one goal in 7 of their last 8 away RPL matches.
My prediction: CSKA not to lose and Total under 3.5 goals
