Match Overview
The first leg of the 2025/26 FONBET RPL Path 1/4 final between Spartak and Lokomotiv will be held on November 6 at the Lukoil Arena in Moscow. Here’s a comprehensive preview for Spartak vs Lokomotiv, including predictions, betting odds, and key statistics.
Spartak Moscow Team Analysis
The capital club secured first place in Group C with a 3-1 victory over Makhachkala in the 6th round. Dejan Stankovic’s side amassed 13 points in total (4 wins and 1 draw in regular time), edging out Dynamo on tie-breakers. Spartak boasted the best goal difference in the group, scoring 13 and conceding only 5. However, the club failed to keep a clean sheet in 6 of their last 8 national Cup matches. It’s worth noting that Spartak has reached the semi-finals in the last four consecutive seasons.
- Both teams scored in 6 of Spartak’s last 8 national Cup fixtures.
- The team remained undefeated in regular time in 8 of their last 10 tournament matches (7 wins, 1 draw).
- Spartak conceded goals in 7 of their last 9 home games in the .
Spartak Moscow Predicted Line-up (4-3-3)*
Ilya Pomazun – Egor Guziev, Ilya Samoshnikov, Aleksander Djiku, Alexander Dobroditsky – Nail Umyarov, Christopher Martins, Igor Dmitriev – Anton Zabolotny, Nikita Massalyga, Marquinho.
Team News: Spartak Injuries
Defenders Aleksander Djiku and Srdjan Babic are currently injured.
Lokomotiv Moscow Team Analysis
The ‘Railwaymen’ finished second in their group. The team secured 4 victories and suffered two defeats (one in a penalty shootout) against Group D winners CSKA. However, Mikhail Galaktionov’s men outscored the ‘Army men’ with 10 goals. Lokomotiv also kept three clean sheets in the group stage. Furthermore, the club has advanced past the 1/4 final stage in the three previous editions of the tournament.
- No more than 3 goals were scored in 10 of Lokomotiv’s last 11 national Cup matches.
- Away from home in this tournament, the club has won 4 of its last 5 matches (1 defeat).
- In 5 of their last 7 away games in the , the ‘Railwaymen’ conceded exactly one goal.
Lokomotiv Moscow Predicted Line-up (4-5-1)*
Ilya Lantratov – Cristian Ramirez, Egor Pogostnov, Evgeny Morozov, Maxim Nenakhov – Danil Prutsev, Zelimkhan Bakaev, Sergey Pinyaev, Artem Timofeev, Vladislav Sarveli – Nikolay Komlichenko.
Team News: Lokomotiv Injuries
Forwards Sergey Pinyaev and Dmitry Vorobyov are injured.
Match Official
Pavel Kukuyan (Russia)
Matches officiated – 7 (, 2023/24 – 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 25;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties awarded – 14%.
Spartak vs Lokomotiv Match Prediction
Bookmakers are favoring Dejan Stankovic’s side. While Spartak does have a home advantage in head-to-head encounters, their current form makes me question the current odds.
Last week’s Premier League away defeat to Zenit marked the ‘Railwaymen’s’ first loss in 17 official matches (9 wins, 7 draws). Notably, during this impressive run, Mikhail Galaktionov’s team also defeated Spartak (4-2). The likely squad rotation in the Cup match shouldn’t hinder Lokomotiv, as they have lost only three of their last 14 away games in this competition, with all those defeats being by a minimal margin.
Spartak has secured 5 victories this season with a two-goal advantage or more. However, it’s crucial to consider the quality of their opponents: only Rubin currently sits in the top half of the league table, while the rest are battling to avoid relegation. It’s unclear why Dejan Stankovic’s charges should confidently overcome a Lokomotiv side that is consistently achieving strong results.
Expert Betting Pick
My prediction: Lokomotiv with a (+1) handicap
Authored by
Alexey Tarabrin
Note on Line-ups
* For each team, the starting line-up from their previous match in this tournament is indicated.
Rory Whitfield
