The second leg of the RPL Path semi-final in the 2025/26 FONBET Russian Cup between Krasnodar and CSKA Moscow will take place on 17 March at the Ozon Arena. The score in the first leg was 3:1 in favour of CSKA Moscow. Krasnodar vs CSKA Moscow: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Krasnodar
Murad Musaev's men lost the first leg 1:3. That defeat was the team's first in their last eight Russian Cup matches (in normal time: six wins and one draw). In addition, the last time the home side conceded more than two goals in this competition was back in November 2024. In the return fixture, the club need to win by at least a three-goal margin. In the current tournament, Krasnodar have recorded three such victories, but they have never thrashed CSKA Moscow in their history. If the club beat the visitors by exactly two goals, the tie will go to a penalty shootout.
- At least three goals were scored in 12 of the previous 13 matches involving the hosts in the national cup.
- On their own ground in this tournament, the team have failed to win in 90 minutes in four of their last six matches (one draw, three defeats).
- In six of Krasnodar's last eight home games in the Russian Cup, they have not scored more than once.
Potential Krasnodar Lineup (4-5-1)*
Stanislav Agkatsev – Valentin Paltsev, Jubal, Diego Costa, Artyom Khmarin – Aleksandr Chernikov, Joao Batxi, Douglas Augusto, Aleksandr Chernikov, Juan Boselli – Moses Cobnan.
Defender Giovanni Gonzalez is suspended.
CSKA Moscow
Conceding in the first half did not unsettle the Army Men, with the visitors replying with three goals. It was the team's third win in their last four matches in the national cup (one defeat), and in every victory during that run, Fabio Celestini's side scored at least twice. However, CSKA Moscow have conceded in a fourth consecutive match in this competition. To reach the RPL Path final, the capital club can even lose by a one-goal margin. Moreover, the away side have avoided defeat against Krasnodar in five of the last six official head-to-head meetings (four wins, one draw).
- In 10 of the last 11 Russian Cup matches, the capital club have not conceded more than once.
- Away from home in this tournament, CSKA Moscow have failed to win in 90 minutes in seven of their last eight matches (five draws, two defeats).
- In six of the last eight away games in the national cup, the team have failed to score.
Potential CSKA Moscow Lineup (4-3-3)*
Vladislav Torop – Joao Victor, Milan Gajic, Mateus Reis, Moises Barbosa – Danil Krugovoy, Ivan Oblyakov, Matvey Kislyak – Danila Kozlov, Kirill Glebov, Luciano Gondou.
Krasnodar vs CSKA Moscow: Match Prediction
The first leg had everything: goals, cards of both colours and a penalty. The rivalry between these sides is becoming increasingly fierce. We would like to believe the upcoming match will also delight football fans, especially as Krasnodar have to overturn the deficit. Murad Musaev's men know how to deliver the required result at home: the club have won eight straight home matches in the Premier League and the Russian Cup, including a game against the Army Men. What is more, the hosts have not lost to CSKA Moscow on their own ground across 11 official head-to-head meetings (seven wins, four draws). Meanwhile, the visitors made a poor start to their Premier League restart, with Fabio Celestini's side suffering three straight defeats.
We should also see goals in this contest. The Army Men must protect the advantage they have built up, but the team's defence does not look impenetrable. In the current Russian Cup campaign, the visitors have conceded in seven of nine matches. The home side, meanwhile, need to score at least twice, something they have managed in five straight home matches in all official competitions. However, there are also questions over Murad Musaev's men at the back, as they have not kept a clean sheet since the winter break.
Prediction: Krasnodar double chance + Over 1.5 goals
* For each team, the starting line-up listed is from their previous match in this tournament.
