The final match of the Winline Winter Cup RPL between Spartak and Zenit will take place on February 11 at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi (UAE). Spartak vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Spartak
Dejan Stankovic's side won 1-0 against Dynamo Moscow in the second round. As a result, Spartak became the only team in the tournament to secure two victories in regular time during the group stage. By finishing first in their group, the Moscow team earned the right to play in the decisive match. It is worth noting that Spartak is the defending champion of the Winline Winter Cup RPL.
Additionally, the club will also play a friendly match against Armenian Pyunik on the day of the final.
- The club has not lost in regular time in their last 11 friendly matches (9 wins, 2 draws).
- At least three goals have been scored in 10 of the last 13 friendly matches.
- Both teams scored in 5 of Spartak's last 7 friendly matches in regular time.
Predicted lineup for Spartak (4-3-3)
Aleksandr Maksimenko – Ruslan Litvinov, Daniil Denisov, Alexis Duarte, Oleg Ryabchuk – Christopher Martins, Nail Umyarov, Ezequiel Barco – Theo Bongonda, Marquinhos, Manfred Ugalde.
Zenit
In the second round of the group stage, Sergei Semak's side defeated Rostov 2-1. Following a penalty shootout victory over CSKA in the first match, Zenit won in regular time this time and eventually surpassed the Moscow team in the standings. Finishing first allowed the St. Petersburg team to participate in the final. Zenit has been highly efficient in this tournament, scoring more goals than any other team (4 goals).
- The team has not won in regular time in 5 of their last 7 friendly matches (2 draws, 3 losses).
- Both teams scored in 9 of the last 10 friendly matches.
- At least three goals have been scored in 8 of Zenit's last 10 friendly matches in regular time.
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-3-3)
Yevgeny Latyshonok – Strahinja Erakovic, Rodrigao, Nuraly Alip, Dmitry Chistyakov – Du Queiroz, Aleksandr Erokhin, Ilzat Akhmetov – Yuri Gorshkov, Aleksandr Sobolev, Andrey Mostovoy.
Referee
Kirill Levnikov (Russia)
Matches – 13 (RPL, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 65;
Average yellow cards per match – 5;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 15%.
Spartak vs. Zenit: Match Prediction
Moscow's team rarely struggles when it comes to attacking play: in the last 17 official matches, Dejan Stankovic's side failed to score only twice, and in ten matches during this period, Spartak scored twice. Additionally, the club netted 11 goals in four winter friendly matches. However, during the training camp in the UAE, the team kept a clean sheet only once, conceding seven goals in four friendly matches.
Zenit operates in a similar manner – they have no issues with scoring but are not always flawless in defense. Sergei Semak's side scored in 14 previous official matches and in each of their last six friendly matches. However, in 5 of the last 6 matches in the Premier League and the Russian Cup, Zenit failed to keep a clean sheet, as well as in 5 of the last 6 friendly matches.
I expect goals from both teams in this encounter. My prediction: Both Teams to Score – Yes
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match in this tournament.
