The Matchday 29 clash in the Russian Premier League between Khimki and Rubin will take place on May 17 at the Arena Khimki. Khimki vs. Rubin: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Khimki
In the previous round, Magomed Adiev's team drew 1-1 away against Orenburg. As a result, Khimki extended their winless streak in the league to six matches (3 draws, 3 losses). However, the team has managed to score in 7 of their last 8 Premier League games. In the standings, the club is in 12th place with 26 points, ahead of Pari NN only on goal difference. Notably, Khimki is guaranteed not to be directly relegated from the RPL, as they are seven points clear of the 15th spot.
- The club has not lost in the first half of their last ten home matches in the RPL (4 wins, 6 draws).
- The team has scored exactly one or two goals in their last seven home league games.
- Both teams have scored in 5 of Khimki's last 6 Premier League matches.
Predicted lineup for Khimki (4-5-1)
Nikita Kokarev – Dani Fernandez, Danil Stepanov, Georgy Dzhikiya, Alexander Filin – Zelimkhan Bakaev, Lucas Vera, Alex Corredora, Robert Mejia, Ilya Berkovsky – Anton Zabolotny.
Defenders Edgardo Farina and Diego Luna will miss the match due to injuries.
Rubin
Rashid Rakhimov's side defeated Rostov 1-0 at home in the last round, scoring the winning goal in the dying moments. As a result, Rubin secured only their third win in the last seven league matches (1 draw, 3 losses), with none of these victories coming in away games. Additionally, the team has kept a clean sheet only twice during this period. In the standings, the Kazan side is in 7th place with 42 points and cannot climb higher, as they are seven points behind the sixth position.
- The team has lost 4 of their last 5 away matches in the Premier League.
- The club has conceded at least two goals in 6 of their last 7 away league games.
- At least three goals have been scored in 6 of Rubin's last 7 away RPL matches.
Predicted lineup for Rubin (4-4-2)
Evgeny Staver – Dmitry Kabutov, Alexey Gritsaenko, Igor Vujacic, Egor Teslenko – Veldin Hodza, Ugochukwu Iwu, Valentin Vada, Ilya Rozhkov – Dardan Shabanhadzhai, Mirlin Daku.
Midfielder Bogdan Yochich will not play due to injury. Midfielder Veldin Hodza is suspended.
Referee
Rafael Shafeev (Russia)
Matches – 6 (RPL, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 16;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.7;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 17%.
Match Prediction: Khimki vs. Rubin
For the Kazan side, this match is likely to be challenging – Khimki can offer strong resistance at home. Recently, the hosts have been performing confidently in home matches: in their last seven league games at home, they have lost only once (2 wins, 4 draws). During this stretch, the club managed to secure points against Krasnodar, the league leaders, as well as against Rostov, who are positioned just below Kazan in the standings.
Rubin has achieved their best results at home recently, but in their last five away Premier League matches, Rashid Rakhimov's team suffered four defeats and secured one draw. Moreover, the Kazan side has been conceding heavily: in 6 of their last 7 away RPL matches, they have allowed their opponents to score at least twice.
I believe that Khimki, with greater motivation in the standings, can fight for the best possible result at home in this match. My prediction: Khimki with a handicap (0)
* Each team's starting lineup is based on their previous match in this tournament.
