The Matchday 6 clash in the Russian Premier League between Rubin and Spartak will take place on August 23 at the Ak Bars Arena in Kazan. Rubin vs. Spartak: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Rubin
Rashid Rakhimov's side bounced back after a heavy defeat to CSKA by defeating Rostov 1-0 at home in the last round. Notably, the team kept a clean sheet for the first time in four league matches, extending their scoring streak to 13 games. Rubin has avoided defeat in 5 of their last 6 RPL fixtures (4 wins, 1 draw), and with 10 points, they currently sit fourth in the standings. However, they have conceded 8 goals, the most among the top half of the table.
- The team has scored at least two goals in 5 of their last 7 Premier League matches.
- At home, Rubin has won 9 of their last 10 league games (1 draw).
- In 9 of their last 11 home matches in the RPL, the club has conceded no more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Rubin (4-4-2)
Evgeny Staver – Egor Teslenko, Igor Vujacic, Alexey Gritsaenko, Dmitry Kabutov – Veldin Hodja, Ugochukwu Iwu, Alexander Yukich, Bogdan Yochich – Dardan Shabanhadzhay, Mirlin Daku.
Defender Denil Maldonado will miss the match due to injury.
Spartak
The Moscow club shared the spoils with Zenit in a 2-2 draw at home in the last round. Dejan Stankovic's side is winless in their last four RPL matches (2 draws, 2 losses). This is Spartak's longest winless streak since the start of the 2023/24 season. Additionally, in 3 of these 4 games, they conceded at least two goals, with a total of 10 goals against them, a tally only worse than Sochi (15). Spartak is currently 10th in the standings.
- No more than two goals have been scored in 4 of Spartak's last 5 away Premier League games.
- Away from home, the team has not lost in 6 of their last 8 league matches (3 wins, 3 draws).
- Spartak has scored against Rubin in 7 of their last 9 RPL meetings.
Predicted lineup for Spartak (3-4-3)
Alexander Maksimenko – Srdjan Babic, Alexis Duarte, Ilya Samoshnikov – Nail Umyarov, Ezequiel Barco, Ilya Samoshnikov, Ruslan Litvinov – Manfred Ugalde, Gedson Fernandes, Christopher Martins.
Forward Theo Bongonda is injured. Defender Ilya Samoshnikov has joined the squad.
Referee
Rafael Shafeev (Russia)
Matches – 9 (RPL, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 30;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.3;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 33%.
Match Prediction for Rubin vs. Spartak
In the last round, Rubin needed just one goal to secure victory. Their scoring streak in the league now stands at 13 matches. However, during this period, Rubin has kept a clean sheet only four times. I anticipate that the upcoming match against their closest rivals will also be eventful. Spartak's matches in the current championship have also been goal-rich.
The Moscow club only kept a clean sheet in the first round. Since then, they have conceded 10 goals in 4 matches, and Spartak's xGA is fifth from the bottom. However, Dejan Stankovic's side has maintained their attacking prowess: in the last 7 RPL games, they have scored 13 times, and they have found the net in 11 of their last 14 away matches in this tournament.
Both teams scored in 7 of the last 9 encounters at Rubin's home ground in the Premier League. I expect both teams to score again. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
