The second leg of the 2025/26 FONBET Russian Cup RPL Path semi-final between Spartak Moscow and Dynamo Moscow will take place on 18 March at the Lukoil Arena in Moscow. The score in the first leg was 5:2 in favour of Dynamo Moscow. Spartak Moscow vs Dynamo Moscow: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Spartak Moscow
The team lost 2:5 in the first leg. Spartak Moscow not only saw their four-match winning run in the Russian Cup come to an end, but also suffered a heavy defeat in this competition for the first time since October 2023. Interestingly, on that occasion too the club were beaten by Dynamo Moscow. We should add that Spartak Moscow have conceded in a sixth successive game in the domestic cup. However, the hosts themselves have scored at least two goals in five straight matches. To reach the RPL Path final, Juan Carlos Carcedo's men need to win the return leg by a margin of at least four goals, and the club have already recorded such a victory in this season's tournament.
- Both teams have scored in Spartak Moscow's last six matches in the Russian Cup.
- At home, Spartak Moscow have not lost in 90 minutes in five of their last seven Russian Cup games (four wins, one draw).
- The club have conceded in five of their last six home matches in this competition.
Potential Spartak Moscow Lineup (3-4-3)*
Aleksandr Maksimenko – Daniil Denisov, Ruslan Litvinov, Aleksandr Dzhikiya – Ezequiel Barco, Nail Umyarov, Gedson Fernandes, Roman Zobnin – Manfred Ugalde, Marquinhos, Vladislav Saus.
Spartak Moscow's injury list includes defenders Srdjan Babic and Ilya Samoshnikov.
Dynamo Moscow
The team continue to rack up big wins in this season's competition. The latest was their third, while overall Dynamo Moscow have won in 90 minutes in four of their last six Russian Cup matches (one draw, one defeat). In addition, in four games during this spell the club have kept a clean sheet. A solid defensive display should help Rolan Gusev's side protect their advantage, especially as they would even be satisfied with a two-goal defeat. If Dynamo Moscow lose by exactly three goals, the tie will go to a penalty shootout.
- At least one team failed to score in six of Dynamo Moscow's last eight Russian Cup matches.
- Away from home in this competition, the club have avoided defeat after 90 minutes in seven of their last nine matches (four wins, three draws).
- In five of their last seven away games in the Russian Cup, Dynamo Moscow have not conceded more than one goal.
Potential Dynamo Moscow Lineup (4-3-3)*
Andrey Lunev – Maksim Osipenko, Juan Caceres, David Ricardo – Rubens Dias, Aleksandr Kutitskiy, Anton Miranchuk, Dmitriy Skopintsev – Mumi Ngamaleu, Konstantin Tyukavin, Bitello.
Dynamo Moscow's injury list includes defenders Roberto Fernandez, Bakhtier Zaynutdinov and Milan Majstorovic, forward Yaroslav Gladyshev, goalkeepers Andrey Lunev and Igor Leshchuk, as well as midfielders Anton Miranchuk and Luis Chavez.
Referee
Kirill Levnikov (Russia)
Matches – 8 (Russian Cup, 2023/24-2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 33;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 25%.
Spartak Moscow vs Dynamo Moscow: Match Prediction
After the spectacle the teams produced last time out, many are expecting more of the same. But there is no guarantee the second act will be just as goal-filled. Rolan Gusev's men hold a comfortable advantage, while at the same time plenty of Dynamo Moscow players remember last season's 0:3 defeat to Spartak Moscow in the Russian Cup. A repeat of that scoreline is the last thing they want. We expect a pragmatic approach from the visitors, and the club cannot maintain the same level for so many matches in a row. In the last round of the Russian Premier Liga, Dynamo Moscow managed just one goal, and on Sunday they face a tough trip to Saint Petersburg.
Spartak Moscow were the side that played Zenit in the most recent league round. Juan Carlos Carcedo's men were prolific against Sochi and Akron Togliatti, but they did not register a single shot on target against the Saint Petersburg club. Dynamo Moscow, as a reminder, have recorded four clean sheets in this season's tournament, so the visitors can pull themselves together and produce a solid defensive display. In any case, Spartak Moscow will still have the option of fighting for the trophy via the lower bracket of the competition, so there may not be a need to win at all costs. Especially with a trip to Orenburg's artificial surface coming up in the league, it could make sense to rest key players in these circumstances.
Prediction: Under 3.5 goals
* For each team, the starting line-up from their last match in this competition is listed.
