The Matchday 8 clash in the Russian Premier League between Baltika and Zenit will take place on September 14 at the Rostec Arena in Kaliningrad. Baltika vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Baltika
In the last round, Kaliningrad's side secured a 2-0 away victory over Akron. Since the start of the tournament, Baltika has accumulated 15 points (4 wins, 3 draws), marking the second-best result in the history of Russian championships among teams promoted from the First League. Additionally, Andrey Talalaev's team is among the top three clubs that have scored in every match of the RPL 2025/26, with a scoring streak in the Premier League spanning 13 matches. Baltika currently sits in 3rd place in the standings.
- Both teams have scored in 12 of Baltika's last 15 league matches.
- At home, the club has not lost in 6 of their last 8 RPL matches (4 wins, 2 draws).
- In 5 of their last 7 home matches in this tournament, Baltika has scored at least two goals.
Predicted lineup for Baltika (4-5-1)
Maxim Borisko – Sergey Varatynov, Kevin Andrade, Nathan Gassama, Mingiyan Beveev – Vladislav Saus, Sergey Pryakhin, Ilya Petrov, Nikolay Titkov, Maxim Petrov – Bryan Gil.
Midfielder Andrey Mendel is injured.
Zenit
Sergey Semak's side, after a four-match winless streak in the league (3 draws, 1 loss), secured two consecutive victories against Makhachkala (4-0) and Pari NN (2-0). This successful run helped the team climb to 5th place in the standings. Additionally, Zenit significantly improved their scoring, sharing the 4th-5th spots in goals scored (13). In the match against Nizhny Novgorod, Zenit took 12 corners – twice their average total in this category.
- The team has scored at least twice in 6 of their last 8 RPL matches.
- The club has conceded in 5 of their last 7 league matches.
- Away from home, Zenit has not won in 6 of their last 8 matches in this tournament (4 draws, 2 losses).
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-5-1)
Denis Adamov – Douglas Santos, Strahinja Erakovic, Nino, Gustavo Mantuan – Maxim Glushenkov, Wilmar Barrios, Wendel, Luciano Gondou, Andrey Mostovoy – Alexander Sobolev.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev and midfielder Gerson are injured.
Referee
Vitaly Meshkov (Russia)
Matches – 13 (RPL, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 57;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 28;
Penalties – 15%.
Match Prediction: Baltika vs. Zenit
The last encounter between Kaliningrad's side and Zenit was in the final of the Russian Cup 2023/24. Baltika, then representing the FNL, managed to challenge their opponent. Zenit won 2-1, scoring the decisive goal in added time. The upcoming match against Kaliningrad's side does not promise to be an easy outing for Sergey Semak's team.
Andrey Talalaev's team has made themselves a force to be reckoned with. Unexpectedly, based on pre-tournament predictions, but justifiably based on their performance and results, Kaliningrad's side is in the top 3 of the championship. Baltika has already taken points from three Moscow teams, so they cannot be dismissed due to an easy schedule.
Zenit has only secured three victories in the RPL 2025/26, all against teams from the lower half of the standings. Away from home, the St. Petersburg side has won only 2 of their last 8 league matches, both with the same 1-0 scoreline. I believe it will be very challenging for Zenit to convincingly defeat an opponent in excellent form.
My prediction: Baltika with a handicap (+1)
