Akron Tolyatti (Home)
- Zaur Tedeyev’s high-tempo, direct style of soccer has made Akron Tolyatti a breathless watch since he took over in December 2023.
- The 4-3-3 formation Tedeyev sets up is suited to the intense pressing he demands from his players and the rapid transitions his team can make when the ball is won back.
- This Saturday’s visit of Zenit will be a tactical matchup between Akron’s trigger-happy 4-3-3 and a more patient, possession-based approach from the Premier League 2025/2026 fourth-placed side. As part of our Akron Tolyatti vs FK Zenit St. Petersburg betting tips, the different tactical styles make this an intriguing clash for punters.
- Akron Tolyatti are without a win in their last 5 matches (D1, L4).
- Akron Tolyatti come into this game in terrible form, sitting 14th in the Premier League 2025/2026 with a mere 7 points from their opening 10 games.
- Artem Dzyuba remains their main goal threat, but his four goals in 10 league games have done little to stop the rot and his absence will be a massive blow for Akron if he’s unable to play against Zenit on Saturday.
- Dmitriy Pestryakov has been a welcome foil to Dzyuba in Akron’s recent matches with 2 goals in his last 5 games, but Akron have failed to win in their 5 home Premier League 2025/2026 matches this season (D3, L2).
Zenit St. Petersburg (Away)
- Zenit St. Petersburg have won 4 and tied 1 of their last 5.
- A run of 4 wins and 1 tie from their last 5 league fixtures has lifted Zenit to 4th in the Premier League 2025/2026. The current form of both sides is a significant point to consider in any Akron Tolyatti vs FK Zenit St. Petersburg betting tips.
- Zenit are unbeaten in their last 2 away games (W1, D1) and come into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 victory away at FK Krasnodar and a 5-2 drubbing of Gazovik Orenburg in St. Petersburg.
- Maksim Glushenkov has been on fire in his recent games, scoring 6 in 8 league appearances and 5 in his last 5, making him an instant goal danger whenever he touches the ball.
Key Players
- Artem Dzyuba remains their main goal threat, but his four goals in 10 league games have done little to stop the rot and his absence will be a massive blow for Akron if he’s unable to play against Zenit on Saturday.
- Dmitriy Pestryakov has been a welcome foil to Dzyuba in Akron’s recent matches with 2 goals in his last 5 games.
- Maksim Glushenkov has been on fire in his recent games, scoring 6 in 8 league appearances and 5 in his last 5, making him an instant goal danger whenever he touches the ball.
Head-to-Head
Akron did edge out a 6-5 thriller when they last met in the Cup 2024/2025 and more fireworks could be on the cards. However, this Akron Tolyatti vs FK Zenit St. Petersburg prediction suggests a tighter contest based on current defensive records.
Betting Insights
- But with Akron in such poor form, and Zenit in excellent shape and full of attacking flair, the odds of 1.42 on the away team look too short with Akron at 6.5 and the tie at 4.7. The Akron Tolyatti vs FK Zenit St. Petersburg betting tips point towards more value in alternative markets.
- The Over 2.5 goal market is a better option at 1.57, considering that Akron average 3.0 goals when at home to Zenit and the visitors average 5.0 when playing away.
- Zenit have conceded just 1.00 goals per away match in the Premier League 2025/2026 season.
Prediction
Zenit and Akron are tied with two wins each in their last five head-to-head meetings, and with a solid away defensive record, I’m taking them to take the win this weekend.
