- Team form: Lokomotiv Moscow have won 6, drawn 4, and lost 3 away games in the Russian Premier League this season (average score: 1.77 goals for, 1.54 against).
- Home form: Krylya Sovetov Samara have won 0, drawn 2, and lost 1 of their last 3 Russian Premier League home games.
- Players to watch: Aleksey Batrakov is Lokomotiv’s main goal threat, with 13 Russian Premier League goals in 24 appearances. He has added 3 assists in the team’s last 5 matches (W2, D1, L2).
Tactical blueprint has Lokomotiv going for the top spots
The contrast between the styles of Lokomotiv Moscow and Krylya Sovetov could lead to an end-to-end matchup when the visitors travel to Samara on Saturday.
Lokomotiv are a high-tempo possession team with a pressing game and lots of movement to flood the midfield and maintain control of the game.
Mikhail Galaktionov’s men have had a mixed bag of recent results, losing 2-1 to Spartak Moscow away, drawing 1-1 with FC Dynamo Makhachkala at home and edging Gazovik Orenburg 1-0 away.
But Galaktionov’s tactical blueprint has put them in the hunt for the top places, occupying third place in the table with 48 points from 25 matches. Cesar Montes has hit a hot streak with three goals in their last five, giving them another dimension to their attack.
Krylya are a small, compact team
Style and recent form
Samara are a much smaller and more compact side, which should make it an interesting contrast of block vs press. Sergey Bulatov has introduced a pragmatic style to the side, who have failed to win their last five league games (D2, L3).
Key players and recent results
Vadim Rakov leads their scoring charts with 5 Russian Premier League goals in 10 games, while Maksim Vityugov has provided some creative spark with three assists in the last five. Krylya have drawn 2-2 at home to FC Akhmat Grozny and 1-1 with CSKA Moscow before losing 2-1 to PFK Sochi away in their three previous matches.
Loko should win but expect Krylya to score
Lokomotiv are favorites at 2.01 to win in Samara, but Krylya have won one and drawn one of the last two head-to-head meetings, while the visitors have failed to claim a win in their last three road games against the home team.
And with Lokomotiv in the mix for the top place and Krylya fighting for survival, it’s a recipe for an exciting encounter.
The home side stunned the Red-Greens 7-6 at this venue in a wild Cup 2025/2026 clash earlier this season.
- We think the away team can break the hoodoo, but Krylya’s counter-attacking thrust should ensure both teams score in an exciting game.
- There is no better value on the market than 1.72 in this spot, while the over 2.5 goals is also recommended at 1.93.
- Krylya have won four, drawn six and lost two at home in the Premier League, conceding 15 goals in 12 fixtures.
