- Head-to-head: CSKA Moscow have won two of the last three head-to-head matches, most recently defeating Rostov 3-1 (H) in a friendly 8 weeks ago.
- Recent form: CSKA Moscow have won three of their last five matches in all competitions.
Home advantage key for CSKA Moscow
Home form:
CSKA Moscow welcome FC Rostov to the VEB Arena on Tuesday knowing that home advantage will be key to securing the win in what should be an end-to-end match. Home form has been a huge factor in this clash this season with CSKA Moscow winning two of their three home matches against FC Rostov. While the two sides are separated in the Premier League 2025/2026, Rostov have found life much harder on the road where they have won just three times in 12 matches, losing six.
Momentum:
The hosts come into the game with some much-needed momentum having won three of their last five in all competitions. That sequence of results has seen them take down Akron Tolyatti 2-1 (A), thump Kryliya Sovetov 5-2 in the Cup and then suffer a 0-1 defeat at home to Sochi in the league. In the first two of those matches, Luciano Gondou hit a purple patch and has now scored four goals in his last five appearances for CSKA Moscow.
Rostov will make a tough match
Fabio Celestini’s men play a high-tempo brand of soccer and always look to win the ball back as quickly as possible with a fast-paced and aggressive pressing game. They will look to overpower the opposition with rapid transitions, overloads in the final third and clinical set-piece routines.
On the other hand, Jonatan Alba is a man who prefers his men to set up in a compact, disciplined 4-3-3 block and give up possession while waiting for their chance to spring forward either through a counter-attack or set-piece scenario.
The contrast in styles will make for an exciting match and an interesting tactical clash as CSKA try to press the visitors, while Rostov will look to frustrate with their deep block. This should mean there will be plenty of space for CSKA Moscow to exploit, but they will also be vulnerable to Rostov’s patient, counter-attacking game.
CSKA Moscow can edge a goal-fest
CSKA Moscow are expected to edge this one and secure all three points at 1.78, as they did in the friendly. The odds are slightly in favour of the home side, which is a bit surprising given they have won nine, drawn one and lost only two of their 12 home matches in the Premier League 2025/2026.
Alba’s men set up to be compact and will be hard to break down but with 5th-placed CSKA Moscow on 42 points and 10th-placed Rostov on 26 after 24 games, the home team will have the extra psychological boost of knowing they beat the visitors in the Russian Cup final last time out and will want to keep up their run for European qualification.
With a high-stakes match on the cards, Over 2.5 goals comes in at 2.22, although both teams are tipped to score at 2.0 and there will certainly be chances at both ends.
- Danil Krugovoy leads CSKA Moscow's scoring charts in the league with five goals in 24 appearances, while Luciano Gondou has been in excellent form of late to ensure that the hosts have a constant threat in the box.
- FC Rostov have been in decent form of late with one win, two draws and two defeats from their last five but a 1-0 away win at Nizhny Novgorod and 1-1 draw at home to Spartak Moscow have been their only positive results in the league in this period.
- Ronaldo Cesar has been in fine form in front of goal for Rostov, netting four times in 20 appearances and scoring two of their last four goals.
