The second leg of the Russian Cup 2024/25 Fonbet RPL Path final between CSKA and Zenit will be held on May 14 at the VEB Arena in Moscow. The first match ended 2-0 in favor of Zenit. CSKA vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
CSKA
Marko Nikolic's team suffered a 0-2 defeat in the first leg away from home. As a result, the Moscow side's unbeaten run in regular time in the Russian Cup, which spanned nine matches (6 wins, 3 draws), came to an end. CSKA failed to keep a clean sheet for only the second time in their last eight matches in this tournament. Notably, the club has scored just 13 goals in the current national cup campaign, the lowest among the teams still in the competition. To secure a place in the Russian Cup final, the team needs to win by at least three goals in 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 scored exactly one or two goals in 90 minutes in 7 of their last 8 home matches 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 (4-4-2)
Vladislav Torop – Milan Gajic, Matvey Lukin, Dzhamalutdin Abdulkadyrov, Moises Barbosa – Ivan Oblyakov, Matvey Kislyak, Miralem Pjanic, Kristijan Bistrovic – Saul Guarirapa, Kirill Glebov.
Forward Kirill Glebov will miss the game due to yellow card accumulation.
Zenit
Sergei Semak's team extended their unbeaten run in regular time in the Russian Cup to 17 matches (13 wins, 4 draws) with a victory in the first leg. Zenit kept a clean sheet for the eighth time in the current national cup campaign and has the best defensive record among the remaining teams, conceding only three goals. Additionally, the club leads in goals scored in this Russian Cup with 23. To reach their second consecutive final in this tournament, Zenit needs to avoid losing by more than one goal in regular time. If they lose by exactly 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 scored exactly one or two goals in 90 minutes in their last eight away matches in this tournament.
- Zenit 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 Drkushich, Nuraly Alip, Yuri Gorshkov – Sasha Zdjelar, Wendel, Andrey Mostovoy, Luciano Gondou, Mateo Cassierra – Luis Enrique.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev and midfielder Wendel are out due to injuries. Midfielder Sasha Zdjelar is suspended.
Referee
Vitaly Meshkov (Russia)
Matches – 14 (RPL and Russian Cup, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 62;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 28;
Penalties – 21%.
CSKA vs. Zenit: Match Prediction
In an attempt to overcome the two-goal deficit, the Moscow side is likely to play openly and focus on attacking football. CSKA regularly finds the net at home: in their last ten home matches in the Russian Cup, the team has consistently scored in regular time, netting at least two goals in six of those games. Furthermore, in both previous home encounters in this tournament, the club has scored.
Zenit rarely faces difficulties in attack, even away from home: in their last eight away matches in the national cup, the St. Petersburg side has not left the field without scoring in regular time. However, the team is not always reliable defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in 8 of their last 11 away matches in this tournament.
In my view, both teams are capable of effective attacking play, so I expect goals from both sides. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
