The Matchday 5 clash in the Russian Premier League between Spartak and Zenit will take place on August 16 at the Lukoil Arena in Moscow. Spartak vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Spartak
Dejan Stankovic's side lost their last match against Lokomotiv (2-4). After winning the first round, the team has failed to secure a victory in three consecutive league matches (1 draw, 2 losses). Notably, this is Spartak's worst start to the tournament since 2011. The Moscow club has already conceded 8 goals, with only a couple of outsiders having conceded more. On a positive note, Spartak was the only team not to receive a yellow card in the 4th round. They currently sit in 11th place in the standings.
- At least one opponent did not score in 6 of the team's last 8 matches in the Russian Premier League.
- Dejan Stankovic's side has won 7 of their last 10 home league matches.
- Spartak has not scored more than one goal in 4 of their last 5 home games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Spartak (4-5-1)
Aleksandr Maksimenko – Srdjan Babic, Ruslan Litvinov, Alexis Duarte, Oleg Ryabchuk – Nail Umyarov, Ezequiel Barco, Christopher Martins, Gedson Fernandes, Marquinhos – Anton Zabolotny.
Forward Theo Bongonda is injured.
Zenit
Sergei Semak's side is also struggling in the current championship. The last time Zenit had 4 points after 5 rounds was in 2008. In their last match, the St. Petersburg team lost away to Akhmat (0-1), extending their winless streak in the Russian Premier League to 3 matches (2 draws, 1 loss). Additionally, the team failed to score for the first time in 15 previous Premier League matches. They currently occupy the 8th position in the standings.
- The team has not lost in 12 of their last 13 league matches (8 wins, 4 draws).
- In 8 of their last 10 Russian Premier League matches, Zenit has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals.
- Zenit has not conceded more than one goal in 5 of their last 6 away matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-5-1)
Evgeny Latyshonok – Douglas Santos, Strahinja Erakovic, Nuraly Alip, Gustavo Mantuan – Gerson Santos, Wilmar Barrios, Wendel, Luis Enrique, Andrey Mostovoy – Aleksandr Sobolev.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev is injured. Defenders Nino and Vanya Drkusic suffered injuries in the last round.
Spartak vs. Zenit: Match Prediction
The clubs have disappointed their fans at the start of the championship. Therefore, the intensity of this already fierce rivalry will be further fueled by the desire of both teams to redeem themselves in the eyes of their supporters. Predicting the outcome of this match is challenging, but the focus on securing three points should lead to goals being scored.
The St. Petersburg team ended their 15-match scoring streak in the Premier League in the last round. However, the last time they failed to score in two consecutive league matches was in April 2024. Zenit has defensive issues, conceding in all matches in the 2025/26 Russian Premier League. Spartak's defense is even worse. Eight goals conceded is a repeat of the club's anti-record from 2004. In attack, the Moscow team lacks consistency, but they have scored in 3 of their 4 matches in the current championship, only failing to score against Baltika when they lost two players due to red cards.
Additionally, both teams scored in 8 of their last 10 head-to-head meetings in the Russian Premier League. This is another factor supporting the prediction: Both teams to score – yes
