Match Preview: Dinamo Makhachkala vs. Rostov

The highly anticipated Matchday 5 fixture of the FONBET 2025/26 will see Dinamo Makhachkala host Rostov on October 2nd, with kick-off at Anzhi Arena in Kaspiysk. This preview covers the match prediction, betting odds, and key statistics for Dinamo Makhachkala vs. Rostov.

Dinamo Makhachkala Team Analysis

Under the guidance of Khasanbi Bidzhiev, Dinamo Makhachkala secured a 2-1 away victory against Pari NN in their previous fixture. The team remains unbeaten in the current campaign, boasting an impressive record of 3 wins and 1 draw in regular time. These strong performances have already guaranteed Makhachkala a place in the RPL Path playoffs. A victory in the upcoming game would further cement their position at the top of the group. Notably, Dinamo has maintained a goal-scoring streak of 6 matches in this competition.

Key Statistics for Dinamo Makhachkala

• Both teams have scored in 5 of Dinamo Makhachkala’s last 6 national Cup matches.
• At home, the team has remained unbeaten in 5 of their last 7 matches (3 wins, 2 draws).
• In 5 of their last 6 home games in this tournament, Dinamo has not scored more than one goal.

Dinamo Makhachkala Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)*

Timur Magomedov – Imadeddin Azzi, Mutalip Alibekov, Ilyas Akhmedov – Mohamed Azzi, Soslan Kagermzov, Nikita Glushkov, Hussem Mrezigue – Hazem Mastouri, Shamil Gadzhiyev, Mohammadjavad Hosseinnejad.

Dinamo Makhachkala Squad Update

Defender Jan Dzhapo is injured. Midfielder Soslan Kagermzov is suspended.

Rostov Team Analysis

Rostov successfully halted a three-match losing streak in the by securing a 2-1 victory over Spartak in their previous fixture. Despite the win, the team has struggled defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in 8 of their last 10 tournament matches. Under Jonathan Alba’s management, Rostov retains a slim theoretical chance of advancing to the RPL Path playoffs, though a defeat in regular time would eliminate them. They currently trail third-placed Pari NN only on additional metrics.

Key Statistics for Rostov

• In 5 of their last 6 away matches in the national Cup, Rostov has conceded no more than one goal.
• Away from home, the team has avoided defeat in regular time in 6 of their last 8 matches in this tournament (5 wins, 1 draw).
• Rostov has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 6 of their last 8 away games.

Rostov Predicted Lineup (5-4-1)*

Daniil Odoevsky – Ilya Vakhaniya, Viktor Melekhin, Andrey Langovich, Danila Prokhin, Umar Sako – Alexey Koltakov, Daniil Shantaliy, Kirill Shchetinin, Khoren Bayramyan – Timur Suleymanov.

Rostov Squad Update

Defender Eyad El-Askalani is injured. Forward Timur Suleymanov is suspended.

Match Officials

Rangel Ziyakov (Russia)

Matches – 6 (, 2023/24 – 2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 17;

Average yellow cards per match – 2.8;

Red cards shown – 1;

Average fouls per match – 24;

Penalties – 17%.

Match Prediction Analysis

While the pressure of the result might be less intense for Dinamo Makhachkala, it’s improbable that this will translate into a more expansive and enjoyable style of play. Dinamo has faced challenges in creating scoring opportunities. Despite being second in Group C for goals scored, it’s worth noting that their three goals against Rostov in the first leg were all netted in the final ten minutes of the match. In their recent RPL fixture, the team couldn’t breach the defense of Sochi, a team that has conceded the most goals in the league. Moreover, in the , Makhachkala has failed to score more than once in 5 of their last 7 outings.

Rostov’s Defensive Improvement

Rostov initially struggled with defensive solidity at the start of the season, but they have demonstrably tightened their backline in recent weeks. In 3 of their last 4 Premier League encounters, Jonathan Alba’s squad has managed to keep clean sheets, with only Spartak finding a way to score past them. Conversely, it’s notable that among all teams participating in the group stage, only three clubs have a lower goal tally than Rostov.

Final Prediction

Based on these observations, my primary prediction for this match is ‘Total Goals Under 2.5’ with odds of 1.55.

* For each team, the starting lineup from their last match in this tournament is indicated.