The first leg of the Russian Cup 2024/25 RPL Path semifinal between Rostov and Zenit will take place on March 12 at the Rostov Arena. Rostov vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Rostov
In the previous round, the team overcame Spartak over two legs, winning both matches (1-0 and 2-1). As a result, Rostov extended their unbeaten run in the Russian Cup to seven matches in regular time (5 wins, 2 draws). Notably, the team has failed to keep a clean sheet in 8 of their last 10 encounters in this tournament, yet in 5 of their last 7 matches in the national cup, Rostov has scored at least twice in regular time.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 12 of their last 13 home games in the Russian Cup (9 wins, 3 draws).
- Both teams scored in 7 of the last 8 home matches in this tournament.
- Rostov conceded exactly one goal in regular time in 7 of their last 8 home games in the national cup.
Predicted lineup for Rostov (4-3-3)
Rustam Yatimov – Daniil Shantaley, Maksim Osipenko, Viktor Melyokhin, Ilya Vakhania – Konstantin Kuchaev, Ivan Komarov, Aleksei Sutormin – Ronaldo, Yegor Golenkov, Nikolay Komlichenko.
Midfielder Kirill Shchetinin will miss the game due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Additionally, the club will play in the Russian Cup for the first time under new head coach Jonatan Alba.
Zenit
Sergey Semak's side had no trouble against Akhmat in the previous round, defeating the Grozny team in both matches (3-0 and 2-1). Consequently, Zenit extended their unbeaten run in regular time in the Russian Cup to 14 matches (10 wins, 4 draws). Furthermore, the club has not conceded more than one goal in 17 previous matches in this tournament. Notably, in the current edition of the national cup, Zenit has scored 18 goals, trailing only Moscow's Dynamo and Lokomotiv (both with 19).
- The team has not lost in regular time in their last seven away matches in the national cup (5 wins, 2 draws).
- The club conceded exactly one goal in 6 of their last 8 away games in this tournament.
- Zenit scored no more than two goals in regular time in their last eight away matches in the Russian Cup.
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-1-4-1)
Evgeny Latyshonok – Gustavo Mantuan, Nino, Strahinja Erakovic, Douglas Santos – Wendel – Luciano Gondou, Sasha Zdjelar, Maksim Glushenkov, Andrey Mostovoy – Luis Enrique.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev will not play due to injury.
Rostov vs. Zenit: Match Prediction
Home support often helps Rostov achieve positive results in cup matches. Moreover, the team plays boldly in attack, often pushing forward and showing no issues with scoring: in 12 of their last 13 home games in the Russian Cup, Rostov players have found the net, doing so at least twice in nine of those occasions. However, the club is not always reliable in defense, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight home matches in this tournament.
Zenit, even away from home, prefers to play on the front foot and spends a lot of time attacking. Sergey Semak's side scores regularly: in each of their last seven away matches in the national cup, the club's players have scored. At the same time, Zenit is not flawless defensively: they have conceded in 10 of their last away matches in this tournament.
I expect both teams to be effective in attack and to exchange goals. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
