The Matchday 1 clash of the FONBET Russian Cup 2025/26 between CSKA and Lokomotiv will take place on July 30 at the VEB Arena in Moscow. CSKA vs. Lokomotiv: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
CSKA
The "Army Men" are the current holders of the Russian Cup. In the previous tournament, the team won Group C, suffering only one defeat (4 wins and 1 draw in regular time). Notably, CSKA conceded just two goals, achieving the best result in the group stage. The Moscow club then advanced through three stages of the RPL Path and defeated Rostov in the final via penalties. Since the 2019/20 season, the team has consistently reached at least the quarter-finals of the national Cup.
- CSKA has kept a clean sheet in 9 of their last 11 Russian Cup matches.
- The club has not lost in 11 of their last 12 games in this tournament (7 wins, 4 draws).
- The "Army Men" have scored at least two goals in 4 of their last 5 home matches in the national Cup.
Predicted lineup for CSKA (4-4-2)
Igor Akinfeev – Moises Barbosa, Igor Diveev, Willian Rocha, Milan Gajic – Mateus Alves, Matvey Kislak, Ivan Oblyakov, Danil Krugovoy – Artem Shumansky, Alehandro.
Midfielder Rodrigo Villagra and forward Artem Shumansky are injured.
Lokomotiv
Mikhail Galaktionov's side emerged as winners of Group B in the previous tournament. Moreover, the "Railwaymen" were the best in the entire group stage in terms of points (17). Lokomotiv also led in goals scored, tallying 17. However, in the playoffs, the team was eliminated from the RPL Path after facing Dynamo, and in the lower bracket, they reached the second stage of the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Rostov. The team last won the trophy in the 2020/21 season.
- The club has conceded in 7 of their last 8 Russian Cup matches.
- In this tournament, Lokomotiv has not lost in regular time in 6 of their last 8 away games (3 wins, 3 draws).
- The "Railwaymen" have scored against their upcoming opponent in 11 of their last 12 official head-to-head matches.
Predicted lineup for Lokomotiv (4-4-2)
Anton Mitryushkin – Alexander Silyanov, Maxim Nenakhov, Cesar Montes, Evgeny Morozov – Dmitry Barinov, Alexey Batrakov, Artem Karpukas, Zelimkhan Bakaev – Dmitry Vorobyev, Alexander Rudenko.
Defender Cristian Ramirez has joined the squad.
Referee
Rafael Shafeev (Russia)
Matches – 7 (Russian Cup, 2022/23 - 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 32;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 29;
Penalties – 0%.
Match Prediction: CSKA vs. Lokomotiv
Bookmakers have made the "Army Men" the favorites. I find it hard to agree with this choice. Lokomotiv started the season more confidently, and they have the upper hand in head-to-head encounters.
Fabio Celestini's team has earned 4 out of 6 points at the start of the RPL 2025/26, but there were many questions regarding CSKA. The game against Orenburg could have ended in a loss, and the match with Akhmat was very challenging. Lokomotiv managed to push through Paris NN, even thrashing the opponent, and the away victory over the champion will surely boost Mikhail Galaktionov's side's confidence.
The "Railwaymen" took points from CSKA in both matches in the last championship. Moreover, Lokomotiv has not lost to the "Army Men" in 9 of their last 12 official head-to-head encounters (6 wins, 3 draws). The head coaches might opt for rotation in the cup match, but I believe the visitors have a stronger bench.
My prediction: "Lokomotiv to win or draw"
* Each team's lineup reflects their starting squad from the previous match.
