The Matchday 9 clash in the MIR RPL between Krasnodar and Zenit will take place on September 21 at the Ozon Arena. Krasnodar vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Krasnodar
Murad Musaev's team defeated Akron 2-1 at home in the last round. This victory marked their fifth win in the last six Premier League matches (1 draw). Notably, Krasnodar conceded in two consecutive matches for the first time this season, yet they have only allowed five goals in total, which is the best record in the league (tied with Baltika). In the match against Tolyatti, Krasnodar recorded their highest number of shots on target this season – 9 (average 5.2). The team continues to lead the standings, three points ahead of their closest rival.
- Krasnodar has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 5 of their last 7 RPL games.
- At home, the team has won 8 of their last 9 league matches (1 loss).
- In 5 of the last 7 home games in this tournament, Krasnodar has conceded at least one goal.
Predicted lineup for Krasnodar (4-5-1)
Stanislav Agkatsev – Jubal, Vitor Tormena, Sergey Petrov, Lucas Olasa – Eduard Spertsyan, Joao Bachi, Gaetan Perrin, Nikita Krivtsov, Douglas Augusto – John Cordoba.
Defender Moses Kobnan and midfielder Alexander Chernikov are injured. Defender Diego Costa is suspended.
Zenit
Zenit shared points with Baltika in a goalless draw away in the last round. Sergei Semak's team has failed to win 5 of their last 7 league matches (4 draws, 1 loss), but they have kept clean sheets in their last three games in this tournament. Zenit ended a three-match streak of scoring at least two goals, and against Kaliningrad, they managed only three shots on target (their average is twice as much). In the standings, Zenit has dropped to the 6th position, and their gap from Krasnodar has increased to 4 points.
- The team has not conceded more than one goal in 15 of the last 17 Premier League games.
- Away, Zenit has avoided defeat in 7 of their last 8 league matches (2 wins, 5 draws).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 6 of Zenit's last 8 away RPL matches.
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-5-1)
Denis Adamov – Douglas Santos, Vanja Drkusic, Nino, Gustavo Mantuan – Maxim Glushenkov, Wilmar Barrios, Luis Henrique, Wendel, Pedro Henrique – Alexander Sobolev.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev and midfielder Gerson are injured.
Referee
Sergey Karasev (Russia)
Matches – 20 (RPL, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 88;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 9;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 30%.
Krasnodar vs. Zenit: Match Prediction
Krasnodar has struggled against Zenit at home, losing 6 of the last 8 head-to-head meetings in the Premier League, but in the upcoming match, Murad Musaev's team has a chance to improve this record. Krasnodar looks more promising this season, having dropped points only twice. Zenit, on the other hand, has only two wins in their last seven Premier League matches, defeating only Makhachkala and Nizhny Novgorod. Additionally, Zenit has yet to win away in the RPL 2025/26 (3 draws, 1 loss).
Sergei Semak is unlikely to risk playing attacking football against Krasnodar, even though Zenit needs to catch up with their opponent. Nearly half of Zenit's goals this season have come in two matches, and in the last round, they registered only 0.21 xG, the third-lowest under Sergei Semak.
Krasnodar has a similar situation with their scoring: 11 of their 20 goals were scored against Orenburg and Krylia Sovetov. Zenit will not allow such freedom near their goal. Moreover, Zenit has kept three consecutive clean sheets in the RPL. The importance of the match will likely force Murad Musaev's team to play cautiously.
My prediction: Krasnodar will not lose and Total under 3.5 goals
