Zenit vs Dynamo Makhachkala — match summary
Russia · Russian Cup · kick-off 2 Sept 2026 22:30
Full time · score 3-0
pPS pre-match readiness (0-100): Zenit 59 · Dynamo Makhachkala 34
mPS in-play performance (0-100): Zenit 48 · Dynamo Makhachkala 48
Shots on target 0-0 · corners – · possession –
NextGOAL tip: Zenit -1.25 · 2 stars
Zenit have won 4 of 6 matches this season, but in the last 5 matches they have 2 losses mixed in (1-2, 0-2), and the latest match was a narrow 1-0 win despite dominating. This is a team whose league results and recent form do not align. As for Dynamo Makhachkala, they have lost 2 in a row (0-1, 1-3) and conceded 4 goals in those 2 matches. A defense that had conceded only 4 goals in the first 4 matches is starting to show cracks. In this match, Zenit should dominate possession and attack almost throughout, because the opponent is away and in poor form. But what to watch is that Zenit themselves concede 26% of their total goals against during the 31-45 minute period. If they attack and get caught on the counter before halftime, the game could turn. What needs to happen is Zenit must score early and keep a clean defensive sheet for all 90 minutes to turn their superiority into a 2-goal margin as the handicap suggests.