The matchday 19 fixture in the MIR Russian Premier League between Akhmat Grozny and CSKA Moscow will take place on 1 March at the Akhmat Arena in Grozny. Akhmat Grozny vs CSKA Moscow: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Akhmat Grozny
Two wins after a six-match winless run (one draw, five defeats) helped Akhmat Grozny climb to eighth place in the standings before the break. However, the team cannot feel safe – the gap to the relegation play-off zone is seven points. The home side have been let down by their defending: last round’s match against Orenburg (1:0) was only the third clean sheet of their current league campaign, with only Orenburg and Sochi recording fewer (two matches each). It is also worth adding that during their training camp the team played nine friendlies and avoided defeat in six of them (five wins, one draw).
Defenders Nader Ghandri and Darko Todorovic have left the squad. The club have added midfielder Sergey Pryakhin and defenders Daniil Khlusevich, Jamalutdin Abdulkadyrov.
- Akhmat Grozny have not scored more than one goal in four of their last five Premier League matches.
- On home soil, the club have avoided defeat in six of their previous eight league games, recording five wins.
- In six of their last eight home RPL matches, the home team have not conceded more than one goal.
Potential Akhmat Grozny Lineup (4-5-1)
Giorgi Shelia – Mehdi Zare, Maksim Sidorov, Usman Ndong, Miroslav Bogosavac – Manuel Keliano, Brian Mansilla, Egash Kasingtura, Maksim Samorodov, Lechi Sadulaev – Georgiy Melkadze.
CSKA Moscow
After 18 matchdays, CSKA Moscow sit fourth in the standings. The team have been one of the most uncompromising sides in the league, drawing only three times (11 wins, four defeats). It should be noted, however, that the Army Men have lost exclusively away from home. At the same time, CSKA Moscow managed to go through a calendar year without a home defeat for the third time in their history. The winter break also brought the team the Winline Winter Cup title.
Among the team’s signings, we should highlight forward Luciano Gondo, midfielders Dmitriy Barinov and Danila Kozlov, and defender Matheus Reis. The biggest outgoing transfer was Igor Diveev’s move to Zenit.
- At least one team have failed to score in six of CSKA Moscow’s previous seven RPL matches.
- Away from home, the capital club have avoided defeat in 17 of their last 18 league matches (11 wins, six draws).
- CSKA Moscow have conceded in seven of their previous eight away matches in this competition.
Potential CSKA Moscow Lineup (4-3-3)
Igor Akinfeev – Joao Victor, Milan Gajic, Matheus Reis, Kirill Danilov – Danil Krugovoy, Dmitriy Barinov, Matvey Kislyak – Danila Kozlov, Kirill Glebov, Luciano Gondo.
Defender Moises Barbosa and midfielder Ivan Oblyakov are suspended.
Referee
Sergey Karasev (Russia)
Matches – 10 (RPL, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 57;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.7;
Red cards shown – 5;
Fouls per match on average – 28;
Penalties – 40%.
Akhmat Grozny vs CSKA Moscow: Match Prediction
The home team secured a modest success before the break, managing to end a seven-match run of conceding in the league. However, it came against Orenburg, whose players have failed to score in five consecutive official matches. CSKA Moscow do not have such issues in the final third, so it is unlikely Akhmat Grozny will be able to build on that success. Moreover, in the 2025/26 RPL campaign, the hosts have not recorded back-to-back clean sheets. Still, we are confident Stanislav Cherchesov’s side will not go unanswered. All the more so given the club have failed to score in just one home match in the current league season.
CSKA Moscow are among the top four for defensive reliability, but away from home the visitors allow a lot of chances at their own goal. Fabio Celestini’s side have kept just one clean sheet in their previous eight away RPL matches, and they also conceded against Akhmat Grozny in the first round at home. Pre-season results should not be taken too seriously, but the Army Men were the only team to finish all their winter friendlies with both teams scoring. With that in mind, we can expect a similar outcome in the first official match.
Prediction: Both teams to score – Yes