Match Overview

The fifth-round fixture of the FONBET 2025/26 between Rubin and Zenit is set to kick off on September 30 at the Ak Bars Arena in Kazan. This forecast provides an in-depth analysis and betting recommendation, along with statistics and odds for the Rubin – Zenit encounter.

Rubin Team Analysis

In their most recent Cup outing, the Kazan-based team suffered an away defeat to Orenburg. The initial 90 minutes ended without a single goal, leading to a penalty shootout where their opponents prevailed 4-2. Rubin’s recent form in the national Cup has been concerning, with only one victory recorded in their last seven matches (comprising two draws and four defeats in regular time). Furthermore, Rashid Rakhimov’s squad has failed to score in three consecutive games in this competition. Currently, Rubin occupies the third position in Group A, but they can no longer reach the top spot, which is securely held by Zenit.

Rubin’s Key Statistics

• At least one team has failed to score in 15 of Rubin’s previous matches.
• Playing on their home ground, the Kazan side has remained undefeated in 5 of their last 7 national Cup fixtures (recording three wins and two draws in regular time).
• In 11 prior home games in this tournament, Rubin has not conceded more than one goal.

Rubin’s Provisional Lineup (4-5-1)*

Artur Nigmatullin – Anderson Arroyo, Nikita Lobov, Egor Teslenko, Konstantin Nizhegorodov – Aleksandar Yukic, Marat Apshatsev, Oleg Ivanov, Ruslan Bezrukov, Nikola Cumic – Jacques Sive.

Defenders Denil Maldonado and Alexey Gritsaenko are currently sidelined due to injuries. Midfielder Nikola Cumic is suspended for the upcoming match.

Zenit Team Analysis

Sergey Semak’s squad has already secured first place in Group A following their 2-1 victory over Akhmat in the last round. The St. Petersburg club has maintained a perfect record, winning all four of their matches in the current campaign, though they have only managed to keep one clean sheet during this impressive run. Notably, Zenit has scored at least two goals in all these matches. Moreover, they have netted a minimum of two goals in six of their last seven national Cup appearances.

Zenit’s Key Statistics

• Zenit has opened the scoring in 15 of their last 16 matches in this tournament.
• The St. Petersburg team has claimed victory in 5 of their last 6 away games in the (suffering only one defeat).
• Zenit has conceded goals in 5 of their last 7 away fixtures in the national Cup.

Zenit’s Provisional Lineup (4-3-3)*

Evgeniy Latyshonok – Arsen Adamov, Nuraly Alip, Roman Vega, Strahinja Erakovic – Aleksandr Erokhin, Yuniy Gorshkov, Yaroslav Mikhailov – Aleksandr Sobolev, Luis Enrique, Vadim Shilov.

Rubin vs Zenit Match Prediction

Sergey Semak’s team was the first to guarantee their progression to the playoffs. Among all group stage participants, only Zenit has maintained a perfect record, but it’s unlikely the team will ease off now. Zenit is consistently finding their optimal form, and every success will further boost the players’ confidence. The club boasts a nine-match unbeaten streak across all official competitions, which includes a notable win against Krasnodar and a hard-fought draw with Baltika. Furthermore, when playing away in the national Cup, the St. Petersburg side has avoided defeat in 9 of their last 10 outings (with seven wins and two draws in regular time).

Conversely, Rubin has experienced a noticeable decline in performance compared to the start of the season. The Kazan team has secured only one victory in their last seven matches across the RPL and (registering three draws and three losses). While Rashid Rakhimov’s men still possess a theoretical chance to advance from the group in the second-most important tournament, it will be a formidable challenge to earn points against Zenit. Rubin has failed to defeat Zenit in their last six official head-to-head encounters. Moreover, in five of those matches, Rubin conceded at least two goals.

My prediction: “Zenit will not lose and Total Over 1.5 goals” with odds of 1.65.

Author: Alexey Tarabrin

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