The Matchday 3 encounter of the Russian Cup 2025/26 between Baltika and CSKA will take place on August 27 at the Rostech Arena in Kaliningrad. Baltika vs. CSKA: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Baltika
Kaliningrad suffered another defeat in the second round, with Lokomotiv as their opponents (0-2). Notably, Baltika has only one win in their last six Russian Cup matches (1 draw, 4 losses). However, the club has scored in 6 of their previous 8 encounters in this tournament. Under the guidance of Andrey Talalaev, they are at the bottom of Group D, having conceded the most goals in their group – 4 goals.
- In 5 of their last 6 matches in the national Cup, Kaliningrad conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals.
- At home, Baltika has not won in 5 of their last 7 matches in this tournament (1 draw, 4 losses).
- In 7 of their last 9 home games in the Russian Cup, the team has not scored more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Baltika (4-4-2)
Ivan Kukushkin – Amar Mohhamad, Alexander Filin, Diego Luna, Nathan Gassama – Nikolay Titkov, Daniil Utkin, Yuri Kovalev, Ivan Belikov – Tenton Yenne, Chinonso Nnamdi.
CSKA
In the previous round, the "Army Men" lost to Akron in a penalty shootout (1-1, 4-5 on penalties). However, in regulation time, the team has not lost in 13 of their last 14 Russian Cup matches (8 wins, 4 draws). Additionally, in 9 matches during this period, the Moscow team kept a clean sheet. In Group D, Fabio Celestini's side is in 2nd place, 4 points ahead of Kaliningrad.
- At least one opponent failed to score in 10 of CSKA's last 13 national Cup games.
- Away in this tournament, the team has not won in 6 of their last 8 matches (4 draws, 2 losses).
- In 10 of their last 12 away games in the Russian Cup, the Moscow team did not score more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for CSKA (4-4-2)
Vladislav Torop – Matvey Lukin, Dzhamalutdin Abdulkadyrov, Milan Gajic, Mikhail Ryadno – Mateus Alves, Matvey Kislyak, Artem Bandikyan, Lionel Verde – Sekou Koita, Tamerlan Musaev.
Midfielder Rodrigo Villagra and forward Alerandro are injured.
Referee
Inal Tanashev (Russia)
Matches – 7 (RPL and Russian Cup, 2021/22 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 32;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 30;
Penalties – 0%.
Match Prediction: Baltika vs. CSKA
Kaliningrad has been impressive this season. The team has not lost in 6 of 8 matches (3 wins, 3 draws), with both defeats coming in away games in the national Cup. At home in the Russian Cup, the club has not lost in 8 of their last 11 matches (4 wins, 4 draws). It's also important to note the level of opponents in the RPL, from whom Andrey Talalaev's side managed to take points – Moscow's Dynamo, Spartak, and Lokomotiv. These teams are comparable to CSKA in terms of level.
The current trophy holder has been unable to win in 5 matches in the national Cup. Moreover, during this period, the "Army Men" have scored only one goal. On the weekend, Fabio Celestini's side faces a crucial league match against Krasnodar, so the head coach is likely to rest key players. Without them, it will be tough to improve their away game statistics in the Russian Cup: CSKA has not won in 6 of their last 8 matches in this tournament (2 losses, 4 draws).
My prediction: Baltika to win or draw
