The Matchday 7 clash in the Russian Premier League between Akron and Baltika will take place on August 31 at the Solidarity Samara Arena. Akron vs. Baltika: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Akron
In the previous round, the team suffered a 1-3 away defeat to CSKA. Tolyatti's side has not won in four consecutive league matches (2 draws, 2 losses), yet Zaur Tedeev's squad boasts a 13-match scoring streak in this tournament. In the 2025/26 RPL season, the club has already netted 9 goals, the highest among the lower half of the standings, where Akron currently sits in 12th place. Additionally, the team ranks third in the league for average corners per game (5.5).
- Tolyatti's side has not scored more than one goal in 7 of their last 8 RPL matches.
- At home, the team has not won in 5 of their last 7 Premier League matches (2 draws, 3 losses).
- Akron has conceded in 6 of their last 7 home league games.
Predicted lineup for Akron (4-5-1)
Vitaly Gudiev – Roberto Fernandez, Ionuts Nedelcharu, Marat Bokoev, Dmitry Pestryakov – Saltmurad Bakaev, Ifet Djakovac, Konstantin Maradishvili, Stefan Lonchar, Alexa Djurasovic – Artem Dzyuba.
Midfielder Khetag Khosonov and forward Benshimol are injured.
Baltika
After defeating Sochi 2-0 away in the last round, the Kaliningrad side extended their unbeaten league run to six matches (3 wins, 3 draws). Additionally, the team kept a clean sheet for the first time in their last four Premier League games. However, Andrey Talalaev's side has conceded only 5 goals, with only Krasnodar (3) having a better defensive record. In the standings, Baltika holds 4th place and leads the league in average fouls committed – 20.
- Kaliningrad's side has scored in 14 consecutive RPL games.
- Away from home, the team has not won in 16 of their last 19 league matches (4 draws, 12 losses).
- In 11 of their last 14 away Premier League games, Baltika has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Baltika (4-5-1)
Maxim Borisko – Sergey Varatynov, Kevin Andrade, Nathan Gassama, Mingiyan Beveev – Vladislav Saus, Yuri Kovalev, Ilya Petrov, Nikolai Titkov, Maxim Petrov – Bryan Gil.
Midfielder Andrey Mendel is injured.
Referee
Yan Bobrovsky (Russia)
Matches – 12 (RPL, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 64;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.3;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 29;
Penalties – 42%.
Match Prediction: Akron vs. Baltika
Tolyatti's side has suffered two consecutive defeats. Facing CSKA is challenging for any team, and in the clash with Orenburg, Zaur Tedeev's men, to be honest, faltered. Before that, the club was unbeaten in four league matches. It's worth noting that while the team does not have stable results at home, it's rare for opponents to secure a convincing away victory over Akron: Tolyatti's side has lost 4 of their last 5 home defeats by a narrow margin.
Baltika's unbeaten run is impressive. Without downplaying Baltika's achievements, circumstances have favored the team. Dynamo is struggling at the start of the tournament, the victory over Spartak was achieved in an 11 vs. 9 format, and Sochi is losing to everyone. However, in the last two RPL seasons, the team has won only 3 of their 19 away matches (4 draws, 12 losses).
I believe Tolyatti's side will put up a fight against their opponents, and even if they lose, it will be a respectable defeat. My prediction: Akron with a handicap (+1)
