The Matchday 22 Russian Premier League fixture between CSKA Moscow and Dinamo Makhachkala will take place on 21 March at the VEB Arena in Moscow. CSKA Moscow vs Dinamo Makhachkala: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
CSKA Moscow Form
The capital club lost away to Baltika Kaliningrad in the previous round (0:1). It was the Army Men’s fourth straight defeat in the league, and CSKA Moscow have not endured such a poor run since 2001. The team also have the second-longest run of consecutive matches conceding, while the Moscow side have failed to score for the sixth time this season. These results have inevitably affected the players’ composure: in the match against the Kaliningrad outfit, the club matched their worst tally for yellow cards – 4 (1.9 on average). In the standings, CSKA Moscow have dropped to fifth place.
- At least one side failed to score in 8 of the last 10 Army Men’s Russian Premier League matches.
- At home, the team have won 5 of their previous 6 league games (1 defeat).
- In 14 of their last 16 home matches in the Russian Premier League, the Moscow side have conceded no more than once.
Potential CSKA Moscow Lineup (4-3-3)
Igor Akinfeev – Joao Victor, Milan Gajic, Mateus Reis, Matvey Lukin – Ivan Oblyakov, Dmitry Barinov, Matvey Kislyak – Danil Krugovoy, Danila Kozlov, Luciano Gondou.
Forward Kirill Glebov is suspended. Defender Moises has been barred from training with the first team.
Dinamo Makhachkala Form
The team were stronger than Orenburg at home in the previous round (1:0). It was only the Makhachkala side’s second win in their last seven league matches (1 draw, 4 defeats), and both of those victories came at home. As for their away form, Dinamo Makhachkala are the league’s worst-performing club on the road. It is also worth adding that the team ended a three-match run of conceding, and managed to score only for the second time across their previous seven Russian Premier League games. Thanks to the three points, the Makhachkala outfit have moved out of the relegation play-off zone, although their cushion is just one point.
- At least one side failed to score in 6 of Dinamo Makhachkala’s last 8 Russian Premier League matches.
- Away from home, the team have lost 6 of their previous 8 league games (2 draws).
- In 7 of their last 8 away matches in this competition, the club failed to score.
Potential Dinamo Makhachkala Lineup (4-5-1)
David Volk – Andres Alarcon, Mohamed Azzi, Yan Djapo, Jemal Tabidze – Nikita Glushkov, Mehdi El-Mubarik, Houssem Mrezigue, Temirkan Sundukov, Mohammad Hosseinnezhad – Gamid Agalarov.
Defenders Idar Shumakhov and Mutalip Alibekov are injured.
Who Will Referee the Match
Anton Frolov (Russia)
Matches – 6 (Russian Premier League, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 26;
Yellow cards per match – 4.3;
Red cards shown – 2;
Fouls per match – 30;
Penalties – 50%.
CSKA Moscow vs Dinamo Makhachkala: Match Prediction
CSKA Moscow looked excellent in pre-season but have made a disastrous start to the resumed campaign. Fabio Celestini’s men have suffered four defeats in a row, something that has not happened to the club for more than 20 years. Admittedly, some of the Moscow side’s opponents were of a high level, but even so the Army Men could have looked better. The only bright spot was the cup tie against Krasnodar, but the return leg against the southern club on Tuesday turned into a nightmare for the players – a 0:4 defeat, compounded by two red cards. Something is clearly not right inside the squad. A relegation-battling opponent looks like a good opportunity to get things back on track, but it will not be straightforward against the Makhachkala side.
Dinamo Makhachkala will face CSKA Moscow for the fourth time this season. In the first half of the league campaign, the Moscow side were stronger thanks to a single goal, while in the Russian Cup the teams traded narrow victories. Since the winter break, Vadim Evseev’s men have won 3 of 4 official matches (1 defeat) and have looked solid defensively. Across those four games, the club allowed opponents to create just 11 clear-cut chances, while the Army Men’s figure over the same period is 30.
We would not be surprised if the visitors manage to take points, but we suggest playing it safe with a positive handicap.
Prediction: Dinamo Makhachkala (+1.5)
