Baltika vs CSKA Moscow Prediction & Betting Tips (27 August)

Baltika Kaliningrad welcomes CSKA Moscow to the Baltika Stadium on August 27 for a pivotal Russian Cup clash that promises more than just group stage drama. While CSKA enters the match with a stronger pedigree and recent form, Baltika has shown flashes of resilience, including a surprise 3-1 win over CSKA in their last head-to-head back in April 2024. Despite sitting bottom of Group D with two losses, Baltika’s recent 1-1 draw against Lokomotiv Moscow suggests they’re not ready to bow out quietly. Their home crowd could be the X-factor, especially with the memory of that previous upset still fresh.

Baltika’s squad has been battling inconsistency, but not without promise. Midfielder Aymane Mourid and forward Ilya Stefanovich have been among the more dynamic players, while goalkeeper Evgeny Lyubakov will need to be at his sharpest to contain CSKA’s attacking threats. Injuries have largely cleared up for Baltika, giving head coach Sergei Ignashevich a full deck to play with. Their recent Premier League form—two wins and two draws in five matches—shows a team capable of grinding out results, even against more established opponents.

CSKA Moscow, meanwhile, arrives in Kaliningrad riding a wave of momentum. Unbeaten in their last five matches across competitions, they’ve netted 12 goals while conceding just five. The addition of Colombian playmaker Daniel Ruiz has added flair to their midfield, while Matvey Kislyak continues to impress with his chance creation. Head coach Fabio Celestini has instilled a disciplined yet aggressive style, and with veterans like Igor Akinfeev anchoring the defense, CSKA looks poised to make a deep cup run. However, they’ll be without striker Sekou Koita, who recently departed on loan to Gençlerbirliği in Turkey.

Despite CSKA’s edge in form and firepower, Baltika’s home advantage and historical grit suggest this won’t be a walkover. Expect a tightly contested match with moments of brilliance from both sides. Baltika may concede early but could claw back with a spirited second-half surge. With CSKA’s attacking depth and Baltika’s tenacity, a 2-1 scoreline in favor of the visitors feels like the most plausible outcome—just enough for CSKA to assert dominance, but not without a scare.