The Matchday 4 clash of the Russian Premier League between Akhmat and Zenit will take place on August 9 at the Akhmat Arena in Grozny. Akhmat vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Akhmat
The Grozny side suffered another defeat in their third league match, losing to Dynamo Makhachkala (0-1). Akhmat has lost 7 of their last 9 Premier League matches (2 draws) and has conceded in all these games. In the 2025/26 RPL season, the team has scored just one goal. However, they are active in attack, with 49 shots on target, the best in the tournament. Akhmat is currently 13th in the standings.
The first managerial change of the season occurred at Akhmat, with Alexander Storozhuk leaving his position. Stanislav Cherchesov has been appointed as the new head coach.
- In 8 of their last 9 Premier League matches, the team has not scored more than one goal.
- Grozny has not lost in 7 of their last 8 home matches in the RPL (3 wins, 4 draws).
- The club has conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Akhmat (4-5-1)
Giorgi Shelia – Turpal-Ali Ibisev, Maksim Sidorov, Miroslav Bogosavac, Nadi Gandri – Egash Kasintura, Lechi Sadulaev, Ismael Silva, Manuel Kelianu, Brian Mansilla – Mohamed Konate.
Zenit
Sergei Semak's side dropped points in two consecutive matches, drawing with Rubin (2-2) and CSKA (1-1). Nonetheless, Zenit's unbeaten run in the league has reached 12 matches (8 wins, 4 draws), and their scoring streak now spans 14 games. However, the St. Petersburg side has conceded in all three games at the start of the tournament. Zenit is currently 7th in the standings.
- Zenit has scored exactly 1 goal in 5 of their last 6 away games in the Premier League.
- In 8 of their last 10 away matches in the RPL, the team has not conceded more than one goal.
- Zenit has defeated their upcoming opponent in 7 of their last 9 head-to-head meetings in this tournament (1 draw, 1 loss).
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-5-1)
Yevgeny Latyshonok – Douglas Santos, Vanya Drkusic, Nino, Gustavo Mantuan – Gerson Santos, Wilmar Barrios, Wendel, Pedro Enrique, Andrey Mostovoy – Mateo Cassierra.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev is injured. Forward Luis Enrique has returned to training with the main group.
Referee
Yevgeny Bulanov (Russia)
Matches – 5 (RPL, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 18;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 0%.
Akhmat vs. Zenit: Match Prediction
The Grozny management did not tolerate the team's poor results. Akhmat did not look hopeless, but they lacked something in each match, resulting in three defeats. The team also lost in a cup match against Zenit. Sergei Semak made significant lineup changes in that game, while Grozny fielded their main players.
Zenit generally performs well against Akhmat, having won 7 consecutive official head-to-head meetings. Moreover, Grozny has only defeated Zenit once in their history within the league. The hosts are without their head coach, who prepared them for the season, and now face a challenging period of adaptation to new demands. In contrast, Zenit remains stable, producing results even without playing their best football.
My prediction: Zenit to win
