Matchday 6 of the FONBET Russian Cup group stage between Zenit and Spartak will take place on November 27 at the Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg. Kick-off is at 16:00 (Moscow time). Zenit vs. Spartak: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Maksim Konstantinov/Global Look Press
Referee: Vladimir Moskalyov (Russia)
Matches – 6 (Russian Cup, 2019/20–2022/23);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 38;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.3;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 50%.
Predicted lineups for Zenit vs. Spartak
Zenit (4-3-3): Mikhail Kerzhakov – Douglas Santos, Alexey Sutormin, Dmitry Chistyakov, Danil Krugovoy – Daler Kuzyaev, Claudinho, Alexander Erokhin – Mateo Cassierra, Zelimkhan Bakaev, Gustavo Mantuan.
Spartak (4-3-3): Alexander Maksimenko – Pavel Maslov, Nikita Chernov, Nikolay Rasskazov, Leon Klassen – Danil Prutsev, Roman Zobnin, Daniil Denisov – Shamar Nicholson, Quincy Promes, Anton Zinkovsky.
The starting lineup for each team in their previous match in this tournament is listed.
Zenit
The St. Petersburg team defeated Fakel 2-0 in the 5th round of the Russian Cup. Sergei Semak's side has guaranteed themselves a place in the next stage of the tournament. Zenit is currently in 3rd place in Group B and can finish the group stage in any of the top three positions.
The team looks perfect at home and is on a three-match winning streak in the national cup. This season, Zenit has shown phenomenal scoring ability, netting more than one goal in 9 out of 10 home matches in the Premier League and Russian Cup. Notably, the St. Petersburg team has been excellent in defense, conceding only 4 goals in their last 11 home matches in the championship and national cup.
Spartak
The Moscow team ended an eight-match winning streak in the Russian Cup with a 1-2 defeat to Krylya Sovetov. Spartak leads Group B, with a three-point advantage over the 2nd and 3rd places. The "Red-Whites" have secured their participation in the next stage of the tournament. Spartak needs only to avoid defeat in this match to advance to the RPL Path playoffs from the top spot. In case of a loss, their final position in Group B will depend on the results of Krylya Sovetov in the parallel match and the margin of defeat in St. Petersburg.
Spartak has not lost in 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Premier League and Russian Cup (3 wins, 2 draws). The "Red-Whites" play open football and have exchanged goals with opponents in their last 8 away matches in the championship and Russian Cup. Spartak defeated Zenit 3-0 in their last head-to-head encounter in the Russian Cup. However, this is Spartak's only victory over Zenit in the last 11 meetings in the championship and national cup (4 draws, 6 losses).
Zenit vs. Spartak: Match Prediction
The St. Petersburg team will try to outdo their eternal rivals and finish higher in Group B. To do so, the hosts need to win this match by a margin of 4 or more goals. Zenit has played nearly perfect football at home, winning 10 out of 11 matches in the Premier League and Russian Cup this season.
Sergei Semak's side is capable of securing victory in the upcoming match, but a landslide win seems unlikely. Apart from the loss to Krylya Sovetov, Spartak has performed excellently in recent matches this year. I expect a balanced game where either team could win. Therefore, it's better to focus on the total. In 5 of the last 6 official head-to-head encounters, the teams have scored more than 2 goals combined. I suggest following the trend and betting on Total over 2.5 goals.
