The Matchday 3 clash of the FONBET Russian Cup 2025/26 between Lokomotiv and Akron will take place on August 28 at the RZD Arena in Moscow. Lokomotiv vs. Akron: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Lokomotiv
Mikhail Galaktionov's side defeated Baltika 2-0 at home in the previous round. The Railwaymen have won 9 of their last 13 matches in the Russian Cup (1 draw, 3 losses), although before the game against the Kaliningrad team, they had conceded in 9 consecutive matches in this tournament. However, the club shows good scoring ability, having scored at least two goals in 9 of their last 12 games in the national cup. In Group D, Lokomotiv is in 3rd place, trailing Tolyatti by 2 points.
- Both teams scored in 7 of Lokomotiv's last 10 Russian Cup matches.
- At home, the team has won 5 of their last 7 games in this tournament (2 losses).
- Lokomotiv has not conceded more than one goal in 13 of their last 14 home matches in the national cup.
Predicted lineup for Lokomotiv (4-5-1)
Ilya Lantratov – Cristian Ramirez, Gerso Nyamsi, Yegor Pogostnov, Lucas Fasson – Dmitry Barinov, Artem Karpukas, Maxim Nenakhov, Alexey Batrakov, Zelimkhan Bakaev – Nikolay Komlichenko.
Forward Sergey Pinyaev is injured.
Akron
In the last round, the team defeated CSKA at home (1-1, 5-4 on penalties). The draw in regular time was Tolyatti's first in their last 7 Russian Cup matches (3 wins, 3 losses). It should be noted that Akron managed to keep a clean sheet in only one of their last six matches in this tournament, while their scoring streak extends to four games. With 5 points, Zaur Tedeev's side leads Group D.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 7 of Tolyatti's last 9 matches in the national cup.
- Away, the club has not lost in 6 of their last 8 Russian Cup games (4 wins, 2 draws).
- In 7 of their last 9 matches in this tournament, Akron has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Akron (3-4-3)
Alexander Vasyutin – Denis Popenkov, Ionuts Nedelcharu, Rodrigo Eshkoval – Nikita Shershov, Maxim Kuzmin, Konstantin Maradishvili, Soltmurad Bakaev – Benshimol, Arseniy Dmitriev, Nikita Bazilevsky.
Midfielder Hetag Khosonov and forward Benshimol are injured.
Referee
Yuri Karpov (Russia)
Matches – 5 (Russian Cup, 2021/22 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 15;
Average yellow cards per match – 3;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 20%.
Lokomotiv vs. Akron: Match Prediction
The Railwaymen have started the season excellently. Mikhail Galaktionov's side has not lost in 7 of their 8 matches (5 wins, 2 draws), suffering their only defeat away to CSKA in the Russian Cup. At home in this tournament, the team has won 5 of their last 7 encounters. Notably, Lokomotiv's scoring prowess: they are the second-highest scorers in the RPL-2025/26, and in the national cup, they have scored at least two goals in 9 of their last 12 games.
Tolyatti has not won in 5 official matches (3 draws, 2 losses), but they have scored in all games during this period. Akron has no issues with scoring: Zaur Tedeev's side has scored in 15 consecutive matches in the RPL and Russian Cup. I believe the club will have opportunities to score against Lokomotiv, who have conceded in 4 of their last 5 home games in the national cup. However, it is unlikely to lead to a positive outcome. Tolyatti has only managed to defeat a Premier League team once away in this tournament.
My prediction: Lokomotiv will not lose and Total Over 2.5 goals
