The second leg of the Russian Cup 2024/25 RPL Path final between CSKA Moscow and Zenit will take place on May 14 at the VEB Arena in Moscow. The score of the first match was 2-0 in favor of Zenit. CSKA vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
CSKA Moscow
Marko Nikolić's side lost the first leg away with a score of 0-2. As a result, the Moscow team ended their unbeaten run in regular time in the Russian Cup, which lasted nine matches (6 wins, 3 draws). Notably, CSKA failed to keep a clean sheet for only the second time in their last eight matches in this tournament. It's also worth mentioning that the club has scored just 13 goals in the current edition of the national Cup, the worst among the teams still in the competition. To secure a place in the final, the team needs to win by at least three goals after 90 minutes.
- The team has not lost in regular time in their last ten home matches in the Russian Cup (7 wins, 3 draws).
- The club has scored exactly one or two goals in 90 minutes in 7 of their last 8 home games in this tournament.
- No more than two goals have been scored in regular time in 6 of CSKA's last 8 home matches in the national Cup.
Predicted lineup for CSKA Moscow (4-4-2)
Vladislav Torop – Milan Gajić, Matvey Lukin, Dzhamalutdin Abdulkadyrov, Moises Barbosa – Ivan Oblyakov, Matvey Kislyak, Miralem Pjanić, Kristijan Bistrović – Saul Guarirapa, Kirill Glebov.
Forward Kirill Glebov will miss the match due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Zenit
Sergei Semak's side extended their unbeaten run in regular time in the Russian Cup to 17 matches (13 wins, 4 draws) after winning the first leg. Furthermore, Zenit kept a clean sheet for the eighth time in the current edition of the national Cup and have the best defensive record among the teams still in the competition, conceding only 3 goals. The club also leads in goals scored in the current Russian Cup, with 23. To reach their second consecutive final, Zenit needs to avoid losing in regular time by more than one goal, and if they lose by two goals, a penalty shootout will be held.
- The club has not lost in regular time in their last eight away matches in the national Cup (6 wins, 2 draws).
- The team has scored exactly one or two goals in 90 minutes in their last eight away games in this tournament.
- Zenit has conceded exactly one goal in regular time in 6 of their last 9 away matches in the Russian Cup.
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-5-1)
Denis Adamov – Dmitry Chistyakov, Vanya Drkušić, Nuraly Alip, Yuri Gorshkov – Saša Zdjelar, Wendel, Andrey Mostovoy, Luciano Gondou, Mateo Cassierra – Luis Henrique.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev and midfielder Wendel will miss the match due to injuries. Midfielder Saša Zdjelar is suspended.
CSKA Moscow vs. Zenit: Match Prediction
In their attempt to overcome the two-goal deficit, CSKA Moscow is likely to play openly and focus on attacking football. The team has been consistently scoring at home, finding the net in regular time in their last ten home matches in the Russian Cup, and scoring at least two goals in six of those. Additionally, they have scored in both of their previous home encounters against Zenit in this tournament.
Zenit rarely struggles to break down defenses, even away from home, having scored in all of their last eight away matches in the national Cup within 90 minutes. However, their defense has not always been reliable, as they failed to keep a clean sheet in 8 of their last 11 away matches in this tournament.
In my opinion, both teams are capable of performing effectively in attack in this match, so I expect both teams to score. My prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
