The Matchday 1 clash of the Russian Premier League between Lokomotiv and Sochi will take place on July 19 at the RZD Arena in Moscow. Lokomotiv vs. Sochi: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Lokomotiv
Last season, Mikhail Galaktionov's team finished in sixth place in the RPL. The club ended the previous tournament with a six-match unbeaten run at home (2 wins, 4 draws). Furthermore, the team scored at least one goal in their last 11 home games in the Premier League. Before the start of the championship, the Moscow side played five friendly matches, securing 3 victories (1 draw, 1 loss).
In the off-season, the team was strengthened by the addition of forward Nikolay Komlichenko and midfielder Zelimkhan Bakaev.
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In 7 of the last 8 home matches in the RPL, both teams scored.
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At least three goals were scored in 7 of the last 8 head-to-head meetings at Lokomotiv's stadium in the championship.
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The Moscow side has not scored more than two goals in 18 of their last 20 Premier League games.
Lokomotiv Starting Lineup (4-4-2)
Anton Mitryushkin – Alexander Silyanov, Maxim Nenakhov, Cesar Montes, Evgeny Morozov – Dmitry Barinov, Alexey Batrakov, Artem Karpukas, Nikita Saltykov – Nikolay Komlichenko, Alexander Rudenko.
Sochi
Exactly one year after being relegated to the FNL, the team returned to the Premier League. Last season, the club finished in fifth place in the First League, but due to licensing issues with Chornomorets, they earned the right to play in the playoffs. In the transition games, Sochi proved stronger than Pari NN, winning 4-3 on aggregate. Notably, in the last FNL season, Sochi scored the most goals – 55. The club also scored in 7 of their last 8 away matches in the country's second division. During the off-season, the club played 5 friendly matches, remaining unbeaten in 3 of them (2 wins and a draw).
Significant reinforcements include the loan of midfielder Anton Zinkovsky and the return of forward Saul Guarirapa.
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In 14 of the last 16 away matches in the First League, Sochi did not lose by more than one goal.
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The club scored at least one goal in 10 of their last 12 FNL matches.
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Sochi did not lose in 13 of their last 18 matches in the second-tier Russian division (10 wins, 3 draws).
Sochi Starting Lineup (4-4-2)
Alexander Degtev – Kirill Zaika, Artem Makarchuk, Marcelo Alves, Vyacheslav Litvinov – Ignacio Saavedra, Dmitry Vasilyev, Anton Zinkovsky, Ruslan Bart – Saul Guarirapa, Martin Kramaric.
Referee
Yevgeny Bulanov (Russia)
Matches – 14 (RPL, 2023/24–2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 54;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;
Red cards shown – 5;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 7%.
Lokomotiv vs. Sochi: Match Prediction
The Moscow side plays effectively at home: only in one of the last eight home matches of Lokomotiv in the RPL did both teams not score. Last season, the club's defense was regularly breached: on average, the team conceded more than one goal per home game in the Premier League, and in 6 of the last 7 matches at the RZD Arena in this tournament, they failed to keep a clean sheet. Meanwhile, in the previous RPL season, the club performed well in attack at home and did not score only against Krasnodar. Notably, newcomer Nikolay Komlichenko scored 8 times in the last championship. I believe the forward is capable of scoring in the upcoming game.
Although Sochi finished 5th in the First League, they were the most productive team in the tournament. Away, in 12 of the last 14 matches in the FNL, Sochi scored at least one goal, but they also conceded in 4 of the last 5 away matches in the First Division. Additionally, in 3 of the last 4 head-to-head matches at Lokomotiv's stadium in the Russian championship, both clubs scored.
Considering the attacking potential of both teams and their uncertain defense, I suggest the prediction: Both teams to score – yes
