FC Zenit Saint Petersburg vs. PFC CSKA Moscow Prediction on August 3, 2025

Match info

Two of the 3 most titled men’s football clubs in the post-Soviet era, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg (tied with Spartak Moscow at 10 titles) and PFC CSKA Moscow (6 titles), will lock horns in Matchweek 3 of the 2025–26 MIR Russian Premier League, the 24th edition of the top-tier men’s football competition in Russia since the dissolution of the USSR. Their match is set to start on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Zenit’s Gazprom Arena, at 6 p.m. MSK (Moscow Standard Time, local time).

Meeting statistics

Current form & playstyle: FC Zenit Saint Petersburg

• Form: In their last 5 matches, 3 of which were friendlies, Zenit recorded three wins, one draw, and a surprising 1–2 home loss to Baltika. Overall, they possess a strong attacking output (18 goals in the last 5). Goal scoring is spread among Mateo Cassierra, Luciano Gondou, Andrei Mostovoy, Maxim Glushenkov, Alexander Sobolev, and others — multiple players in double digits across competitions.
• Style: Under coach Sergei Semak (since May 2018), “Sine-Belo-Golubye” (The Blue-White-Sky Blues) control possession and use short passing from midfield build-up: a patient, compact build-up with a fairly low aggression level.
• Strengths: Home advantage, squad depth, and creative midfield players.
• Weaknesses: Vulnerable to fast transitions and occasional lapses vs physical pressing.

Current form & playstyle: PFC CSKA Moscow

• Form: CSKA’s recent form is respectable: apart from many victories in preseason friendlies, they are unbeaten in 12 across all competitions, including a cup final success. They lifted the 2025 Russian Cup, finishing 3rd in the league in 2024‑25, led by top scorers like Tamerlan Musayev and Ivan Oblyakov.
• Style: Coached by Swiss Fabio Celestini since June 2025, “Armeitsy” (Army Men) focus on disciplined shape, solid defense, and quick transitions.
• Weaknesses: Less prolific on the road, heavy reliance on set plays and structured attacks.

Head-to-head

• Their last face-off ended with CSKA’s win on penalties on May 14, 2025, in the Russian Cup.
• In 71 meetings across all competitions: Zenit have 30 wins, CSKA 21, and 20 draws.
• BTTS (both teams to score): Rare in recent clashes — relevant for those betting through new betting companies.

Match analytics

Expect Zenit to dominate possession and probe patiently. CSKA will sit deeper, look to break quickly, and target set-piece situations, especially with players like Musayev in the box. Total goals under 2.5 is appealing given the H2H and outright break-even scoring: over 60% of their meetings have had ≤ 2 goals

Tip: FT O/U: Under 2.5, at 1.76 odds on Zulabet.