Match Preview: Zenit vs Orenburg

The highly anticipated match of the 6th round of the Fonbet 2025/26, featuring Zenit and Orenburg, is scheduled for October 22nd at the Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg. This preview offers a detailed forecast, betting tips, odds, and key statistics for the Zenit vs Orenburg encounter.

Zenit Overview

Sergei Semak’s men secured a 1-0 away victory against Rubin in the previous round. The St. Petersburg side continues its impressive run without dropping any points, although their clash with Kazan marked the first time in the current campaign that they scored fewer than two goals. Despite this, Zenit remains the most prolific team in the group stage, having netted 13 goals. It’s worth noting that the club has already secured the top spot in Group A.

• Zenit has opened the scoring in their last five national Cup matches.
• At home, the team boasts an impressive streak of 8 consecutive victories in this tournament.
• Zenit has kept a clean sheet in 10 out of their last 12 home fixtures in the .

Zenit’s Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)*

Evgeny Latyshonok – Vanya Drkushich, Roman Vega, Strahinja Erakovic, Arsen Adamov – Alexander Erokhin, Yuri Gorshkov, Yaroslav Mikhailov – Luciano Gondu, Andrey Mostovoy, Alexander Sobolev. 

Midfielder Yaroslav Mikhailov and defender Roman Vega are suspended for this match. Forward Mateo Cassierra and defender Strahinja Erakovic are currently sidelined due to injuries.

Orenburg’s Form

Orenburg claimed a 1-0 away win against Akhmat in their last outing. Heading into the final round, the team has accumulated 8 points (2 wins and 1 draw in regular time), guaranteeing them second place in the group. However, Orenburg also holds the unfortunate distinction of having the worst defensive record in Group A, conceding 8 goals. Despite this, the club has found the net in 6 of their last 8 matches.

• No more than three goals have been scored in 6 of Orenburg’s last 7 national Cup games.
• Away from home in this tournament, the club has lost 6 of their last 8 matches (with 2 victories).
• Orenburg has scored in 8 of their last 10 away matches in the .

Orenburg’s Predicted Lineup (4-4-2)*

Nikolay Sysuev – Alexey Tataev, Danila Khotulev, Nikolay Koserik, Stanislav Poroykov – Evgeny Bolotov, Dmitry Rybchinsky, Pavel Gorelov, Omar Minatulaev – Ivan Ignatiev, Alexandre Jesus. 

Match Official

Yuri Karpov (Russia)

Matches officiated – 5 (, 2023/24 – 2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 15;

Average yellow cards per match – 3;

Red cards shown – 2;

Average fouls per match – 28;

Penalties awarded – 60%.

Match Prediction: Zenit vs Orenburg

The two teams have already faced each other twice this season, treating spectators to high-scoring affairs. While Zenit emerged victorious in both encounters, they conceded 5 goals in the process. It is highly probable that Orenburg will also find the back of the net in their upcoming match.

With no significant tournament pressure on Ildar Akhmetzyanov’s squad, Orenburg is expected to play with freedom and an attacking mindset. The team generally has no issues with goal-scoring, ranking second in Group A for goals scored. Furthermore, they have managed to score in their last 6 consecutive official away fixtures.  

Sergei Semak is likely to rotate his squad, given the crucial league match against Dynamo Moscow looming. This rotation could potentially impact the defensive cohesion. Although Zenit doesn’t concede many goals, they do so fairly regularly. Notably, among all the group leaders, no other team has conceded more than Zenit.

My prediction is “Orenburg Total Goals Over 0.5” with odds of 1.90.        1.90

* The starting lineup listed for each team corresponds to their previous match in this tournament.