The Matchday 2 clash in the MIR Russian Premier League between Krasnodar and Lokomotiv will take place on July 26 at the Ozon Arena. Krasnodar vs. Lokomotiv: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Krasnodar
The champions began their title defense with a resounding 3-0 away victory over Pari NN, although Murad Musaev's side generated just over one expected goal. Krasnodar has won 6 of their last 7 RPL matches (1 loss), but they have kept a clean sheet in only two of those games. However, scoring has not been an issue for the club, as they have netted at least twice in six of their previous seven Premier League matches.
- At least three goals have been scored in 7 of Krasnodar's last 8 league matches.
- The team has won their last 5 home matches in this tournament.
- Krasnodar has opened the scoring in 9 of their last 12 home RPL games.
Predicted lineup for Krasnodar (4-4-2)
Stanislav Agkatsev – Lucas Olaza, Diego Costa, Vitor Tormena, Sergey Petrov – Eduard Spertsyan, Alexander Chernikov, Joao Batchi, Nikita Krivtsov – Victor Sa, John Cordoba.
The club has strengthened its squad with the addition of midfielder Gaetan Perrin.
Lokomotiv
The "railwaymen" also secured a 3-0 victory, defeating Sochi, extending their unbeaten run in the league to seven matches (4 wins, 3 draws). Notably, Lokomotiv has not lost in the opening round for 15 consecutive years. In the match against Sochi, two of the three goals were scored by substitutes.
- Moscow's scoring streak in the RPL stands at 7 matches.
- Lokomotiv has not won in 8 of their last 10 away league matches (4 draws, 4 losses).
- In 6 of their last 7 away Premier League matches, the team has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Lokomotiv (4-4-2)
Anton Mitryushkin – Alexander Silyanov, Maxim Nenakhov, Cesar Montes, Yevgeny Morozov – Dmitry Barinov, Alexey Batrakov, Artem Karpukas, Zelimkhan Bakaev – Nikolay Komlichenko, Alexander Rudenko.
Forward Sergey Pinyaev and defender Ilya Samoshnikov, who missed the first round, are expected to recover for the upcoming match.
Referee
Kirill Levnikov (Russia)
Matches – 20 (RPL, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 100;
Average yellow cards per match – 5;
Red cards shown – 8;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 45%.
Krasnodar vs. Lokomotiv: Match Prediction
Both teams were among the most prolific in the opening round. They had no trouble finding the net last season and continued their scoring exploits at the start of the RPL 2025/26. While Krasnodar and Lokomotiv didn't exactly steamroll their opponents, they did manage to score three goals each. Additionally, Krasnodar has scored in their last 6 home league matches, while the Moscow club failed to score in only three away matches last season.
Pari NN had chances to score against Krasnodar. Despite being the second-best team in terms of goals conceded last season, Murad Musaev's side has only kept two clean sheets in their last 8 RPL matches. Lokomotiv allowed Sochi fewer opportunities, but overall, their defense lacks reliability: Lokomotiv has failed to keep a clean sheet in 10 of their last 13 Premier League matches.
I expect both teams to be productive. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
