Arsenal Tula (home)
- Arsenal Tula are a decent side in the FNL, but not good enough to warrant much attention in the cup at the quarter-final stage of this competition.
- Arsenal Tula are mid-table in the 2025-26 Russian First League, with 28 points from 21 matches and struggling to break into the top promotion places.
- The Yellow and Blues are coming off a mixed run of three draws and two defeats in the last five games in all competitions and friendlies.
- That run includes a penalty shootout win over Rubin Kazan in the previous Cup round after a 0-0 draw.
Lokomotiv Moscow (away)
- Lokomotiv Moscow are undefeated in the winter friendlies and resumed their 2025-26 Russian Premier League campaign on a high.
- Lokomotiv have 37 points from 18 games (W10, D7, L1).
- Lokomotiv have shown superior depth and form to Arsenal this season and have been in good form in the Cup.
- The hosts have played out several low-scoring draws this year, including in the Cup.
Head-to-Head
- Lokomotiv have dominated the modern head-to-head, winning more matches against Arsenal Tula since 2016.
- Arsenal Tula shocked the RPL side 3-1 in their last competitive meeting in Tula, in November 2021.
- Lokomotiv beat Arsenal Tula 2-1 in a summer friendly in June 2024.
Key Players
- Mikhail Galaktionov’s team play an attack-minded style of soccer, but they are an organised side that presses high up the field, likes to rotate positions and has a number of players that can play on the counter.
- Their 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 systems are fluid and they build attacks primarily through the center, using their full backs to overlap and create width.
- Aleksei Batrakov has double-figure involvement in Lokomotiv’s goals this term, with his runs and set-piece prowess from deep a major threat.
- Arsenal’s main attacking threat is striker Artur Kalmykov, who is the club’s top goalscorer this term with around 8 goals.
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Notable players:
- Aleksei Batrakov - double-figure involvement in Lokomotiv’s goals this term.
- Artur Kalmykov - club’s top goalscorer this term with around 8 goals.
- Kirill Bolshakov and Ramazan Gadzhimuradov will be Arsenal's main outlets on the wings and from set pieces.
Betting Insights
- Lokomotiv are the runaway favourites, at 1.31 to Arsenal’s 9.6 with the draw 5.97.
- There is some interest in both teams to score and over 2.5 goals markets, which are priced at 1.74 and 1.7 respectively.
Prediction
- Lokomotiv Moscow are clear favorites to win on the night and progress to the next round of the Cup.
- Wintry conditions and a hard or slippery pitch could play into Arsenal’s hands and they are a solid unit that could keep the game close if they don’t concede early.
- If the underdogs can catch them out early it could become a battle of patience.
- Lokomotiv will probably end up scoring a few goals and winning the match, but it’s unlikely to be a runaway victory.
