The Matchday 3 clash of the Winline Winter Cup RPL between Rostov and Zenit will take place on February 7 at the Al-Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi (UAE). Rostov vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Rostov
Valery Karpin's side was defeated by CSKA (0-1) in the first round and currently sits at the bottom of the table with no points. Additionally, before facing Zenit, Rostov played a friendly against Lokomotiv, losing 0-2. Regardless of the outcome, Rostov cannot secure the top spot in their group. Only a victory in regular time would allow them to finish second, granting them a chance to play for third place in the tournament.
- The club scored at least two goals in 4 of their last 6 friendly matches.
- The team conceded in 5 of their last 6 friendly matches.
- The number "3" appeared in the final score in 4 of Rostov's last 6 friendly matches.
Predicted lineup for Rostov (4-3-3)
Daniil Odoevsky – Maksim Radchenko, Maksim Osipenko, Umar Sako, Ilya Vakhania – Danil Glebov, Kirill Shchetinin, Ivan Komarov – Ronaldo, Mohammad Mohebi, Nikolay Komlichenko.
Zenit
In the first round, Sergei Semak's side drew 2-2 with CSKA in regular time and then won 4-1 in the penalty shootout. As a result, Zenit earned two points and trails CSKA by the same margin in the group standings. To top the group, Zenit needs to defeat Rostov in regular time. This would allow the team to compete for first place in the tournament.
Note that defender Vyacheslav Karavaev is missing the tournament due to injury.
- The team has not lost in 13 of their last 17 friendly matches (10 wins, 3 draws).
- Both teams scored in 7 of the club's last 8 friendly matches.
- At least three goals were scored in 7 of Zenit's last 8 friendly matches.
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-3-3)
Evgeny Latyshonok – Douglas Santos, Nino, Nuraly Alip, Gustavo Mantuan – Wilmar Barrios, Wendel, Maksim Glushenkov – Luciano Gondou, Luis Enrique, Andrey Mostovoy.
Referee
Aleksei Sukhoi (Russia)
Matches – 12 (RPL, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 59;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.9;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 33%.
Match Prediction: Rostov vs. Zenit
Both teams are known for their attacking play and high scoring. Rostov scored at least two goals in their last five matches in the Russian Premier League and Cup, and also netted three times in two of their first winter friendly matches. Only against CSKA and Lokomotiv in the last two friendlies did the team fail to score. Meanwhile, Valery Karpin's side has not always been stable in defense, managing only two clean sheets in the last nine mentioned matches.
Zenit faltered in their final league matches before the winter break but maintained their attacking style. The team scored in their last 14 official matches and in each of their four winter friendlies. However, they conceded in 5 of their last 6 RPL and national cup matches, as well as in 3 of their last 4 friendlies.
I expect the teams to delight the fans with a high-scoring game. My prediction: Total over 2.5 goals
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match in this tournament.
Dinamo Moscow
Spartak Moscow
