- Home form: Lokomotiv have won 3 and drawn 1 of their last 4 home games
- Recent form: Akron have won 2 and lost 3 of their last 5 games
- Head-to-head: Lokomotiv have won the last 2 meetings between the clubs including a 3-0 home win over Akron 3 weeks ago
Lokomotiv can make it 3 wins in a row
Betting odds:
The bookmakers have Lokomotiv in at 1.46 for this match with Akron priced at 6.75. There is obviously a huge gap in the market with the draw coming in at 4.8 and there may be some value there, but we're going to play the odds on this one with a straight home win and the possibility of goals.
Recent results:
Lokomotiv have been a little up and down in the build-up to this one. They have played two Premier League 2026/2027 matches, beating CSKA Moscow 1-0 at home in a friendly before drawing 1-1 at home with Akhmat Grozny and then losing 2-1 to Dynamo Makhachkala away from home.
That puts them 12th in the Premier League 2026/2027 with 1 point from 2 matches while Akron sit 16th with 0 points from 2 games. Across all competitions, their record is a little better at 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat from the last 5 matches. Akron have lost their opening two Premier League 2026/2027 games and their form coming into this match is 2 wins and 3 defeats from their last 5 matches.
Mikhail Galaktionov has his men well organised
Tactics:
Lokomotiv are the better team and this looks to be theirs to win. Akron Tolyatti have been destroyed in both games this season, losing 0-5 to Zenit and 1-2 to Rubin Kazan.
Mikhail Galaktionov has his side well organised in a controlled 4-2-3-1 system which allows them to play with patience before hitting at the transition when space opens up. Srdjan Blagojevic has Akron pressing high and playing a vertical 4-3-3 system which leaves gaps in the half-spaces which Lokomotiv can exploit if they play smart.
Players to watch:
- Lokomotiv's best bet to score is Vadim Rakov who has 1 goal in 2 Premier League 2026/2027 fixtures this season while Aleksey Batrakov has provided 1 assist in his 2 games to date and looks to be his best chance to create.
- Akron have Arseniy Dmitriev as their top scorer with 1 goal in 2 games and Konstantin Maradishvili has provided 1 assist and is the most creative player in their ranks.
Lokomotiv should win at RZD Arena
Lokomotiv have won the last 2 head-to-heads with the clubs and beat Akron 3-0 at this venue in a recent friendly. Akron have not won any of their last 3 away games against Lokomotiv so the momentum is with the home team.
A Lokomotiv win and over 2.5 match goals looks the best play here as Akron could be stretched if their pressing game is exposed and Lokomotiv can punish them in transition. The odds on both teams to score are also tempting at 1.68 but we'll take the win and goals in this clash.
