Rostov – Akron

A close result should be expected in the match between the leaders of Group D.

A match of the penultimate round of the Russian Cup group stage will take place in Rostov-on-Don. The standings in Group D currently look more intriguing than those in any other group on the Premier League Path of the national cup. Initially, CSKA and Lokomotiv Moscow were considered the group favorites. It was expected that the Moscow clubs would share the top positions, which grant direct passage to the playoffs. However, with two rounds remaining in the group stage, the situation in the group is exactly the opposite. Rostov occupy first place with nine points, Akron Tolyatti are two points behind, while the capital's teams sit in third and fourth positions. Lokomotiv could even lose their chances of finishing third, which would secure a move to the Regions Path, if they lose to CSKA on Thursday. Rostov changed their head coach during the three-week international break. Jonathan Alba, who had remained in charge of the team since Valeri Karpin's time, was dismissed, largely for political reasons. The Rostov team immediately entrusted the job to Dmitry Kirichenko, a true club man who had previously played for them and had also spent many years working there as a member of several previous coaching staffs. After finally getting his chance as head coach, Kirichenko immediately led the team to seven points out of a possible nine over three Premier League rounds. One of the defeated opponents was Akron. In fact, Kirichenko's coaching tenure began with the match against the Tolyatti side. The outcome of that encounter, which featured few dangerous chances, was decided by Ivan Komarov's precise free-kick. Rostov are solid mid-table team in the Premier League standings. Given their leading position in the national cup group, the southern side may well prioritize the fight for Russia's second-most prestigious trophy. In the previous league round, Akron made headlines with a victory over Dynamo Moscow. Srdjan Blagojevic and his players managed to end the capital club's eight-match winning streak. Overall, the Tolyatti club are extremely difficult to beat. Considering that Rostov lost their previous Russian Cup meeting with CSKA 0-4, a relatively even contest should be expected.