The Matchday 9 encounter of the Russian Premier League between Dynamo Makhachkala and Lokomotiv will take place on September 20 at the Anzhi Arena in Kaspiysk. Dynamo Makhachkala vs. Lokomotiv: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Dynamo Makhachkala
In the previous round, Dynamo suffered a 0-1 defeat away to Rubin. This marks their third loss in the last four league matches. Hasanbi Bidzhiev's side managed to score only in the match they won during this stretch. Dynamo is struggling with scoring, having netted just four goals, the lowest tally in the league. The team rarely threatens the opposition's goal, averaging just 2.7 shots on target per game. In the standings, Dynamo is positioned 12th.
- No more than two goals have been scored in 11 of Dynamo's last 12 Premier League matches.
- At home, the team has avoided defeat in 7 of their last 9 RPL games (4 wins, 3 draws).
- In 8 of their last 9 home games in this tournament, the club has conceded no more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Dynamo Makhachkala (4-5-1)
David Volk – Temirkan Sundukov, Mutalip Alibekov, Jemal Tabidze, Idar Shumakhov – Nikita Glushkov, Mohamed Azzi, Mohammadjavad Hosseinejad, Rajab Magomedov, Hazem Mastouri – Hamid Agalarov.
Defender Yan Djapo and midfielder Mehdi El-Mubarak are sidelined with injuries.
Lokomotiv
Mikhail Galaktionov's side shared the spoils with Akhmat in a 1-1 draw away from home in the last round. Lokomotiv's unbeaten run in the league has now reached 14 matches (7 wins, 7 draws), although they have kept a clean sheet only three times during this period. In the 2025/26 RPL season, the Moscow side has only managed to prevent Sochi from scoring, with a total of 12 goals conceded, a defensive record worse than only five other teams. Lokomotiv currently sits in 3rd place, three points behind leaders Krasnodar.
- The team has scored at least two goals in 8 of their last 10 Premier League matches.
- Away from home, Lokomotiv is unbeaten in 7 league matches (4 wins, 3 draws).
- Lokomotiv has conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals in 7 of their last 8 away RPL games.
Predicted lineup for Lokomotiv (4-4-2)
Anton Mitryushkin – Alexander Silyanov, Maxim Nenakhov, Cesar Montes, Egor Pogostnov – Dmitry Barinov, Alexey Batrakov, Artem Karpukas, Zelimkhan Bakaev – Dmitry Vorobyov, Alexander Rudenko.
Forward Sergey Pinyaev is injured.
Referee
Vasily Kazartsev (Russia)
Matches – 15 (RPL, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 68;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.5;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 27%.
Match Prediction: Dynamo Makhachkala vs. Lokomotiv
Matches involving Dynamo Makhachkala have been the lowest-scoring in the current championship, averaging 1.8 goals. Dynamo struggles with creating and converting chances, ranking among the two worst clubs in the tournament for both metrics. In their last five home RPL matches, the team has not scored more than once but has also conceded no more than one goal. The hosts will rely on their defense in the upcoming match.
Lokomotiv's defensive record is far from Dynamo's. However, away from home, Lokomotiv has not conceded more than one goal in 7 of their last 8 league matches. It's unlikely that the low-scoring Dynamo will trouble Lokomotiv's defense.
The Moscow club has not lost to Dynamo in all three official head-to-head meetings, with none of these matches witnessing more than three goals. I believe the trend is likely to continue. My prediction: Lokomotiv will not lose and Total under 3.5 goals
