On March 15, 2025, at 19:30 Moscow time, the highly anticipated clash between Russian football teams Lokomotiv and Dinamo will take place at Lokomotiv's home stadium, marking the 21st round of the Russian Championship. Fans are eager to see how this Moscow derby will play out, especially as both teams face their own sets of challenges this spring.
According to betting experts, Lokomotiv holds slightly more chances of winning the upcoming match. The home team, managed by Mikhail Galaktionov, started their spring season with three official matches. Unfortunately, their campaign began with underwhelming performances. Their first match saw them draw 1:1 against Akhmat Grozny, which was followed by another draw against Dinamo during the Russian Cup—a match they had managed to clinch 2:1 thanks to goals from Cesar Montes and Sergey Pinyaev. These mediocre results have left Lokomotiv hungry for more consistent performances.
On the other hand, Dinamo, coached by Marcel Lička, has had its challenges as well. Recently, they suffered defeat against CSKA Moscow and will approach the cup match trailing behind. To highlight the state of turmoil within Dinamo, rumors have surfaced about the potential hiring of Valery Karpin as the new head coach, raising concerns about the current management's stability.
Unlike Lokomotiv, Dinamo kicked off their spring season with just one win amid unconvincing play. They began with a lucky draw against Rostov-on-Don and won 1:0 against Makhachkala, showcasing some resilience. Both teams have faced key injuries; Lokomotiv’s captain Dmitry Barinov is sidelined due to meniscus problems, and Dinamo’s top striker Konstantin Tyukavin is out for the season with anterior cruciate ligament damage. Another injury on Dinamo's side involves Diego Laxalt, whose appearance is uncertain due to fitness issues.
This season has witnessed both squads engage thrice already, with Lokomotiv and Dinamo each winning one match, and one draw. Intriguingly, Lokomotiv has struggled against Dinamo at home, failing to secure any wins over the last seven encounters, including three losses and four draws—a stark statistic highlighting their inefficacy against their rivals. Their last home win against Dinamo occurred way back in October 2017, ending 3:0.
Statistical background reveals the rivalry's results: the two teams have clashed 151 times with Dinamo winning 68, Lokomotiv securing 49 victories, and the remainder ending as draws. The overall performance in the Russian Championship shows Lokomotiv has won 27 matches, Dinamo with 19 wins, and 19 ties. At Lokomotiv's home ground, hosts registered 17 wins against 6 losses and 9 draws.
Current statistics from the league indicate Dinamo is fourth, leading Lokomotiv, who sit fifth, by four points. Mikhail Galaktionov will be hoping to reverse the trend against Dinamo, but the head-to-head record tells another story: Galaktionov has faced Dinamo eight times, managing to secure just two wins, alongside three defeats and three draws. Conversely, Lička has come out victorious three times against Lokomotiv, registering three defeats and one draw.
The match preview hints at the unfair balance, particularly concerning Lokomotiv’s home advantage, as they have not triumphed against Dinamo at home since 2017. The stakes are considerably high for Lokomotiv—they need the points to strengthen their season ambitions. With the latest reports questioning their form and managerial stability, any positive result is needed to boost morale.
Looking at recent performances, Lokomotiv has not lost yet this spring, drawing twice and earning one victory. They hope this trend continues against their rivals. Conversely, Dinamo is currently trying to regroup and build momentum to put their season back on track. Observers expect nothing short of intense action, as both teams need results—Lokotiv for form and confidence, and Dinamo to stabilize and improve their standings.
Fans and analysts alike are braced for what promises to be another gripping chapter in this time-honored rivalry as they anticipate whether the hosts can finally break their jinx at home or if the visitors can carry their momentum and secure another win against Lokomotiv.