FC Rostov
CSKA Moscow
FC Rostov host Lokomotiv Moscow in the second round of the Russian Cup on 19 August. The home side have shown considerably better form this season, winning 4-2 against Rodina and securing an impressive 4-0 cup victory over Akron, though they have also drawn twice. Lokomotiv, by contrast, remain winless after five matches across all competitions, managing only draws against Akhmat and Akron in the league, plus a penalty shootout loss to CSKA in the cup. The visitors have struggled to break down weaker opponents and face mounting pressure to secure their first victory of the campaign.
Form and Head-to-Head
Rostov have accumulated five points from their opening league matches and sit ninth in the table, demonstrating inconsistency but recent positive momentum. Lokomotiv occupy 12th place with just three points from four league games and have yet to register a win. Historically, the sides have shared competitive encounters: Lokomotiv won 2-0 in 2017 and 2-1 in 2018, but Rostov have since claimed victories in three of their last four meetings, including a 3-1 win in 2019 and a 3-2 triumph in 2020. The visitors have not lost to Rostov in their last three head-to-head fixtures.
Best Bet
Lokomotiv's winless start to the season and defensive vulnerabilities make them unlikely to claim victory here. At 22Bet, backing Lokomotiv with a zero handicap (draw no bet) offers value at 2.395, reflecting their recent resilience in draws but acknowledging Rostov's superior form and home advantage. The visitors' four draws this season suggest they may avoid defeat, yet Rostov's attacking prowess and emotional momentum following their cup demolition of Akron position them as the more likely winners.
Odds to Watch
The 22Bet odds present Rostov at 2.395 to win, the draw at 3.52, and Lokomotiv at 2.991. Given Lokomotiv's inability to convert chances and Rostov's recent attacking form, the home victory offers the most compelling proposition. Lokomotiv's tendency toward stalemates—four draws in five matches—means the draw remains a viable secondary option, though Rostov's cup pedigree and league performance suggest they will press for three points in a competition where they have already demonstrated clinical finishing.
