The 21st round of the Russian Premier League (RPL) is shaping up to be an exciting showdown as Moscow rivals Lokomotiv and Dinamo face off on March 15, 2025. The match takes place at the RZD Arena, with kick-off set for 19:30 Moscow time.
Lokomotiv, managed by Mikhail Galaktionov, looks to turn their recent misfortunes around after not winning any of their last five league matches, which included three draws and two losses. They currently sit at fifth place with 37 points, just behind Dinamo, who occupies the fourth spot with 39 points.
Both teams have had their share of ups and downs this season. The last encounter between them saw Dinamo triumph with a 3:1 victory, bolstering their confidence as they aim to contend for higher honors this season. Dinamo, coached by Marcel Lička, heads onto the field aiming to solidify their standing, especially after their recent impressive performance against Makhachkala's Dinamo, where they claimed a convincing 4:0 victory.
The starting lineups for both teams have been announced. Lokomotiv’s squad consists of the following players: Lantratov, Silyanov, Fasson, Nyamsi, Nenakhov, Godyaev, Timofeev, Batrakov, Pinyaev, Sevkyan, and Vorobyov. Conversely, Dinamo will field Lunev, Dasa, Caseres, Fernandez, Skopintsev, Chaves, Fomin, Bitello, Artur, Carrascal, and Gladyshev, with Gladyshev positioned as the leading attacker for the match.
Both teams have their injured players, with some key figures missing the match. For Dinamo, Tukavin is out due to injury, and Lokomotiv has Barinov sidelined. Despite these setbacks, both squads are expected to deliver intense performances on the field as they seek to gain points and reinforce their aspirations for the remainder of the season.
Betting odds suggest Lokomotiv holds the edge as favorites with odds of 2.33 for their victory, indicating the bookmakers' confidence. Meanwhile, Dinamo's odds stand at 3.1 for triumph, with the draw pegged at 3.5. Given Lokomotiv's urgency to break their winless streak and Dinamo's pursuit of positioning themselves for the championship, expect nothing short of fireworks from this high-stakes rivalry.
For fans wishing to catch the action live, the match will be broadcasted on Match TV from 19:00, leading up to the 19:30 kick-off as well as on the MATCH PREMIER channel and via streaming on matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru. Anticipation is high for what should be another fiercely contested derby where both clubs will be looking to assert their dominance.
The intensity of this match lies not only within the immediate stakes but also historically, where battles between these two clubs have often delivered memorable moments. With both teams hungry for victory, observers can expect strategic intricacies as each coach will aim to outsmart the other. Keep your eyes peeled; this clash promises to be one for the ages!