Matchday 5 of the Russian Cup group stage between Fakel and Zenit will take place on November 16 at the Central Stadium of Trade Unions in Voronezh. Kick-off is at 18:00 (Moscow time). Fakel vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Pavel Shadykhanov (Russia)
Matches – 4 (Russian Cup, 2020/21–2022/23);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 26;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.5;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 25%.
Predicted lineups for Fakel vs. Zenit
Fakel (3-4-3): Alexei Gorodovoy – Sergey Bozhin, Vasily Cherov, Daniil Chernyakov – Aslan Dashaev, Mikhail Smirnov, Matvey Ivakhov, Andrey Mendel – Maxim Maximov, Ruslan Magal, Alihan Shavaev.
Zenit (4-3-3): Mikhail Kerzhakov – Dejan Lovren, Douglas Santos, Rodrigao, Vyacheslav Karavaev – Daler Kuzyaev, Wendel, Wilmar Barrios – Ivan Sergeev, Malcom, Claudinho.
The starting lineup for each team in their last match in this tournament is listed.
Fakel
In the last round of the Russian Cup, the team lost 1-2 to Spartak. This was the first match in the current Russian Cup campaign where Voronezh managed to score. Fakel is at the bottom of Group B, having not earned any points in four matches. Fakel, along with Khimki, shows the worst scoring record in this Russian Cup edition, with only one goal in four matches. Voronezh struggles at home in the national cup, failing to win in regular time in 7 of their last 8 games (2 draws, 5 losses). Notably, the upcoming opponents met earlier this season at Fakel's ground, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
Zenit
The St. Petersburg side defeated Krylia Sovetov 2-1 in the last round of the Russian Cup. Zenit has defensive issues, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last three national cup matches. Sergey Semak's team is third in Group B. Zenit will lose the chance to top their group if Spartak earns points against Krylia Sovetov. Zenit's away form in the Russian Cup is unconvincing: the team has not won in regular time in their last four away matches (2 draws, 2 losses), conceding 8 goals while scoring just 3.
Fakel vs. Zenit: Match Prediction
The previous encounter in the national cup ended with a confident 2-0 victory for Zenit. I see no reason why the St. Petersburg side won't take all three points in this match. Yes, Voronezh has been resilient at home this season, drawing 4 of their last 5 matches in the Russian Premier League and the Russian Cup. However, Zenit needs a win in the upcoming match to have a chance to overtake Krylia Sovetov in Group B after this round.
I believe Sergey Semak's side will show their best football. I expect a convincing victory for Zenit in the upcoming game. My prediction: Zenit to win with a -1.5 handicap
