The Matchday 19 fixture in the MIR Russian Premier Liga between Lokomotiv Moscow and FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod will take place on 28 February at the RZD Arena in Moscow. Lokomotiv Moscow vs FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Lokomotiv Moscow
The Moscow club finished the first part of the season in third place in the main standings, which is the Railwaymen's best return across the last six campaigns. Mikhail Galaktionov's side have suffered just one defeat (10 wins, seven draws) — away to Zenit St. Petersburg. Lokomotiv Moscow, who have scored 39 goals, are the league's top scorers. However, with 23 conceded, the hosts are among the three worst defensive records in the top half of the table. In pre-season, the team produced decent results, avoiding defeat in eight of nine friendlies (six wins, two draws).
Midfielder Dmitry Barinov has left the club. Lucas Vera has been brought in to help compensate for his departure.
- At least one goal was scored in both halves in six of the Muscovites' last eight Russian Premier Liga matches.
- On home soil in this competition, Lokomotiv Moscow are unbeaten in 14 matches (seven wins, seven draws).
- The team opened the scoring in eight of their previous 10 league games.
Potential Lokomotiv Moscow Lineup (4-3-3)
Anton Mitryushkin – Maksim Nenakhov, Lucas Fasson, Cesar Montes, Gerzino Nyamsi – Danil Prutsev, Artem Karpukas, Zelimkhan Bakaev – Dmitry Vorobyov, Aleksandr Rudenko, Aleksey Batrakov.
Defender Aleksandr Silyanov is injured.
FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod
The visitors are facing a relegation battle. After 18 rounds, the team sit 14th, with their gap to the relegation play-off zone just two points. It is worth noting, however, that Aleksey Shpilevskiy's side went into the break on the back of two straight league wins. As a result, FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod have collected points in consecutive matchdays for the first time this season. One of the club's biggest problems is their lack of goals: they have scored just 12, with only the Makhachkala side posting a worse figure (11). What is more, the away team failed to score in three of seven pre-season friendlies.
The biggest loss for the visitors has been the departure of striker Juan Boselli. Among the new arrivals, we should highlight defender Ilya Kirs and forward Adrian Balboa.
- At least one team failed to score in six of FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod's last seven league matches.
- Away from home in this competition, the club have lost 15 of their previous 17 matches (two wins).
- In seven of their last 10 away matches in the Premier League, the team failed to score.
Potential FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod Lineup (4-3-3)
Nikita Medvedev – Sven Karic, Yuriy Koledin, Maksim Shnaptsev, Edgardo Fariya – Alex Opoku Sarfo, Andrey Ivlev, Luka Ticic – Olakunle Olusegun, Daniil Lesovoy, Vyacheslav Grulev.
Defender Aleksandr Ektov is recovering from injury.
Referee
Rafael Shafeev (Russia)
Matches – 7 (the Russian Premier Liga, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second bookings) – 32;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 29%.
Lokomotiv Moscow vs FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod: Match Prediction
The visitors have hardly thrilled their supporters with results as it is, and the mood in their camp has become even gloomier following Juan Boselli's departure. The Uruguayan scored seven of the team's 12 goals, created the most chances, and was generally the leader in many attacking metrics. No like-for-like replacement has been found, so the low-scoring FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod may pose even less of a threat in the final third. Points, in that case, will be even harder to come by — especially given the fact that the club have already lost seven of nine away matches in the current league campaign.
The home team concede fairly regularly, but there have been positive signs in home matches. In the previous four games at the RZD Arena, the hosts have only allowed Krasnodar to score. It is unlikely that a FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod side struggling in the final third will match the champions' output. We are confident the visitors will focus on defending their own goal. However, it is far from certain that will be enough to take points. In the Russian Premier Liga, the away team have lost six consecutive head-to-head meetings against Lokomotiv Moscow.
Prediction: Lokomotiv Moscow to win + Under 3.5 goals
