The Matchday 5 clash of the Russian Cup 2025/26 between Rubin and Zenit will take place on September 30 at the Ak Bars Arena in Kazan. Rubin vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Rubin
In the previous round, the Kazan team suffered a defeat against Orenburg away. The match ended goalless in regular time, but the opponent was more precise in the penalty shootout (2:4). Rubin has only one win in their last 7 Russian Cup matches (2 draws and 4 losses in regular time). Additionally, Rashid Rakhimov's side has failed to score in three consecutive games in this tournament. In Group A, Rubin is in 3rd place, but they can no longer catch up with the leading Zenit.
- At least one team failed to score in Rubin's last 15 Russian Cup matches.
- Rubin has not lost in regular time in 5 of their last 7 home matches in the Russian Cup (3 wins and 2 draws).
- In 11 previous home games in this tournament, Rubin has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Rubin (4-5-1)
Artur Nigmatullin – Anderson Arroyo, Nikita Lobov, Egor Teslenko, Konstantin Nizhegorodov – Aleksandar Jukic, Marat Apshatsev, Oleg Ivanov, Ruslan Bezrukov, Nikola Cumic – Jacques Syve.
Defenders Denil Maldonado and Alexey Gritsaenko are injured. Forward Nikola Cumic is suspended.
Zenit
Sergey Semak's side secured the top spot in Group A after defeating Akhmat in the previous round (2:1). Zenit has won all 4 matches in the current Russian Cup campaign, but they have managed to keep a clean sheet only once during this stretch. Nevertheless, Zenit has scored at least two goals in each of these matches. Moreover, the team has scored at least twice in 6 of their last 7 Russian Cup games.
- The club opened the scoring in 15 of their last 16 matches in this tournament.
- Zenit has won 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Russian Cup (1 loss).
- Zenit has conceded in 5 of their last 7 away games in the Russian Cup.
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-3-3)
Evgeny Latyshonok – Arsen Adamov, Nuraly Alip, Roman Vega, Strahinja Erakovic – Alexander Erokhin, Yuni Gorshkov, Yaroslav Mikhailov – Alexander Sobolev, Luis Enrique, Vadim Shilov.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev is injured.
Referee
Vladislav Tselovalnikov (Russia)
Matches – 6 (RPL and Russian Cup, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 24;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 33%.
Match Prediction: Rubin vs. Zenit
Sergey Semak's team was the first to secure a playoff spot. Among all group stage participants, only Zenit has not dropped points, and I don't think the team will stop there. Zenit is gaining form, and each success will restore the players' confidence. The club is on a 9-match unbeaten run at the official level, including a victory over Krasnodar and a draw with Baltika. Moreover, Zenit hasn't lost in 9 of their last 10 away matches in the national cup (7 wins and 2 draws in regular time).
Rubin, on the other hand, has regressed compared to the start of the season. Rubin has only one win in their last 7 matches in the RPL and Russian Cup (3 draws, 3 losses). In the second most important tournament, Rashid Rakhimov's side still has a chance to advance from the group, but earning points against Zenit will be challenging. Rubin has failed to defeat Zenit in their last 6 official meetings. Moreover, they have conceded at least two goals in 5 of these games.
My prediction: Zenit will not lose and Total over 1.5
