The Matchday 5 clash in the Russian Premier League between Spartak and Zenit will take place on August 16 at the Lukoil Arena in Moscow. Spartak vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Spartak
Dejan Stankovic's side lost to Lokomotiv (2-4) in their last match. Following a victory in the first round, the team has been unable to win in three consecutive league matches (1 draw, 2 losses). Notably, this is Spartak's worst start in the tournament since 2011. Additionally, the Moscow team has already conceded 8 goals, with only a couple of bottom teams having conceded more. On a positive note, Spartak was the only team not to receive a yellow card in the 4th round. In the main standings, Spartak occupies the 11th place.
- At least one opponent did not score in 6 of Spartak's last 8 matches in the Russian Premier League.
- Dejan Stankovic's side has won 7 of their last 10 home league games.
- Spartak has not scored more than one goal in 4 of their last 5 home games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Spartak (4-5-1)
Aleksandr Maksimenko – Srđan Babić, Ruslan Litvinov, Alexis Duarte, Oleg Ryabchuk – Nail Umyarov, Ezequiel Barco, Christopher Martins, Gedson Fernandes, Marquinhos – Anton Zabolotny.
Forward Theo Bongonda is injured.
Zenit
Sergei Semak's side is also struggling in the current championship. The last time Zenit had 4 points after 5 rounds was in 2008. In their last match, the St. Petersburg team lost 0-1 away to Akhmat, extending their winless streak in the Russian Premier League to 3 matches (2 draws, 1 loss). Additionally, the team failed to score for the first time in 15 previous Premier League games. In the standings, the club is in 8th place.
- The team has not lost in 12 of their last 13 league games (8 wins, 4 draws).
- In 8 of their last 10 Russian Premier League matches, Zenit scored exactly 1 or 2 goals.
- Zenit has not conceded more than one goal in 5 of their last 6 away games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-5-1)
Evgeny Latyshonok – Douglas Santos, Strahinja Eraković, Nuraly Alip, Gustavo Mantuan – Gerson Santos, Wilmar Barrios, Wendel, Luis Henrique, Andrey Mostovoy – Aleksandr Sobolev.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev is injured. Defenders Nino and Vanja Drkušić sustained injuries in the last round.
Referee
Artem Chistyakov (Russia)
Matches – 19 (Russian Premier League, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 73;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 30;
Penalties – 47%.
Spartak vs. Zenit: Match Prediction
Both clubs are disappointing their fans at the start of the championship. Therefore, the intensity of this already heated rivalry will be further fueled by the teams' desire to redeem themselves in the eyes of their supporters. Predicting the outcome of this encounter is difficult, but the determination to secure three points should lead to goals being scored.
Zenit recently ended a 15-match scoring streak in the Premier League. However, the last time the team failed to score in two consecutive league matches was in April 2024. Zenit has defensive issues, having conceded in all matches in the Russian Premier League 2025/26. Spartak's defense is even worse, with eight goals conceded, matching the club's anti-record from 2004. In attack, the Moscow side lacks consistency, but Dejan Stankovic's team has scored in 3 of their 4 matches in the current championship, only failing to score against Baltika when they lost two players due to red cards.
Moreover, both teams scored in 8 of the last 10 head-to-head matches in the Russian Premier League. This is another factor in favor of the prediction: Both teams to score – yes
