The Matchday 4 clash of the Fonbet Russian Cup 2025/26 Regional Path between Volgar and Neftekhimik will take place on September 24 at the Central Stadium in Astrakhan. Volgar vs. Neftekhimik: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Volgar
In the current Russian Cup campaign, the club has progressed past Chertanovo (2-1) and Zenit Penza (1-0). This marks the fourth consecutive time the Astrakhan team has reached the 4th round of the national cup. Last season, the team failed to advance beyond this stage, losing to Ufa. The year before, Volgar reached the round of 16, equaling their best achievement in this tournament.
- Both teams have scored in 5 of Volgar's last 6 matches in the national cup.
- In this tournament, the club has not lost in 6 of their last 7 home matches (4 wins, 2 draws).
- Volgar has scored in 7 consecutive home games in the Russian Cup.
Predicted lineup for Volgar (4-5-1)*
Vladislav Yampolsky – Yuri Petrovsky, Danil Pelikh, Egor Proshkin, Ilya Zuev – Ivan Galanin, Vladislav Adaev, Oleg Dmitriev, Magomed Nasibov, Dmitry Lesnikov – Ibragim Umarov.
Neftekhimik
For the team from Nizhnekamsk, the national cup is usually a brief affair. In the 21st century, the team has never advanced beyond the 5th round. In the previous tournament, Kirill Novikov's squad was eliminated in the 4th round. Additionally, the club has won only two of their last seven Russian Cup matches (1 draw, 5 losses).
- Nizhnekamsk has failed to score in 5 of their last 7 national cup games.
- The team has not conceded more than one goal in 5 of their last 6 away matches in this tournament.
- Away from home, the club has not lost in 5 of their last 7 Russian Cup matches (4 wins, 1 draw).
Predicted lineup for Neftekhimik (4-3-3)*
Timofey Kashintsev – Nikolay Tolstopyatov, Eduard Valiahmetov, Maxim Shiryaev, Marat Sitdikov – Daniil Rodin, David Kokoev, Konstantin Shiltsov – Ivan Bober, Rashid Magomedov, Sultan Dzhamilov.
Referee
Mikhail Plisko (Russia)
Matches – 4 (Russian Cup, 2021/22 - 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 8;
Average yellow cards per match – 2;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 50%.
Volgar vs. Neftekhimik: Match Prediction
Nizhnekamsk does not excel in scoring in the FNL, ranking only 10th in goals scored. Even in the national cup, where the level of opponents is lower, Neftekhimik does not produce a goal-scoring spectacle. The club has scored only 4 times in their last 8 matches, failing to score in 6 of them. However, defensively, the team has been solid, not conceding in 3 of their last 4 away matches in the Russian Cup.
In contrast, Astrakhan consistently finds the back of the net in the national cup. However, Volgar usually limits themselves to one or two goals. The team often faces Second League opponents, making it more challenging against a solid FNL mid-table team. Notably, in 6 of their last 7 home games in this tournament, the club has not conceded more than one goal.
I expect a low-scoring encounter. My prediction: Total under 2.5 goals
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match.
