Fakel – Akhmat: Preview
We discuss the line‑ups for the Fakel and Akhmat match within the framework of the fifth round of the group stage of the 2026/27 Russian Cup. Both teams are performing poorly in both the league and the cup, and the direct encounter is an opportunity to rehabilitate and fight for entry into the Regional Route.
Key points
Fakel
1. "Fakel" finishes last in both the league and the cup group stage
The Voronezh side are not up to Premier League level this year. In the league, they secured only one win after Oleg Vasilenko’s departure: against "Krylia Sovetov" at home in the penultimate round (2:1). In the final round, the team lost to "Rodina" after a controversial penalty (0:1) – Aleksey Rebko was very unhappy with the refereeing: a similar episode occurred in the Moscow side’s penalty box, but "Fakel" did not receive their 11‑metre penalty. In the cup, the team started poorly: "Dinamo" finished last (0:1), we lost to "Krasnodar" on penalties after a 1:1 draw, and we failed to earn points in Grozny (1:2). With Rebko, we achieved a surprising home win over the "buffalos" (2:0), but the team remains last in the quartet.
2. Rebko will rotate the squad
Fakel’s position is difficult in both competitions, but the Premier League remains the priority. The gap relative to the relegation‑playoff zone has widened to six points, and the Voronezh side want to escape the crisis in the league. Aleksey Rebko, like almost all league coaches, will carry out a serious rotation of the squad. Fakel has a short bench, so several starters will have to go out. Among them will likely be Albert Gabaraev – the defender will miss the next league round due to suspension. In the group stage, Axel Gnapi and Maxim Turishev may be used.
3. "Akhmat" – one of Fakel’s most comfortable opponents in recent years
The Voronezh side have the advantage in head‑to‑head, both in history (nine wins to six for Grozny) and in recent years. Since Fakel’s return to the elite in 2022, Akhmat has only beaten them twice in all competitions – in the home match of the 2022/23 season and in the cup match in Grozny this year. However, the Voronezh side have a six‑match unbeaten run from 16 April 2023 to 10 August 2026. Fakel has even won in Grozny, despite the local team’s historical status and the complications of away matches.
Akhmat
1. Everything has gone wrong for "Akhmat"
Before this season, the Grozny side strengthened considerably, and with coach Stanislav Cherchesov, a fight for the top six was anticipated. But now "Akhmat" is in bad shape. In the league, the team sits 14th, just two points ahead of "Rodina", which is in the relegation zone. In all competitions, "Akhmat" has only one point in the last five matches – a 0:0 home draw with "Baltika". The team struggles against the big clubs – lost to "Dinamo" in the cup (1:2) and to "Zenit" in the league (2:3), but also fails against modest opponents like "Akron" and "Orenburg". In the cup, the team outperforms Fakel on additional indicators.
2. Cherchesov will also shake up the squad, but some key players will start
The Grozny side need to climb out of the bottom of the table, so Stanislav Cherchesov will involve players who are not heavily used. The squad is practically empty – only Julio Roman can start. Manuel Celián, Mohamed Conate, Erald Masuti and backup goalkeeper Rasul Micaev will have time. However, in the last cup match against "Dinamo", several key players were also given time – Klisman Zaque, Miroslav Bogosavac and Lechi Sadulaev.
3. "Akhmat" has never won away this season
In Voronezh, everything is difficult to play, although this season Fakel even lost to "Rodina" in the league and to "Dinamo" from Makhachkala. "Akhmat" is also a local side, and away matches from Grozny do not go well. The away season started well – in the first league round, Cherchesov’s men drew in Cherkizovo (1:1), and then fought against "Krasnodar" in the cup and lost only on penalties. After that, things went wrong – in the last five away matches, only points were earned against the crisis‑ridden "Rubin" (1:1).
Estimated line‑ups
3-4-1-2 4-2-3-1 9 6 2 3 19 6
Obukhov 20
Yurganov 53
Bardachev 5
Gabaraev 10
Alshin 8
Bagamaev 52
Netfullin 17
Kovalev 99
Giorgobiani 7
Turishev 9
Gnapi 71
Micaev 4
Ibishev 5
Zaque 81
Sidorov 8
Bogosavac 42
Celián 11
Ismael 76
Masuti 10
Chetinin 7
Sadulaev 13
Conate
Betting on the trend
In ten of the last thirteen direct encounters, both teams scored. OY – 1.7.
Four of the last five direct encounters in Voronezh ended in a draw. X – 3.7.
Prediction
Fakel vs Akhmat
27.10.2026 19:00
In Fakel, Premier League performances are poor – the team finishes last in the league table and ends last in the cup group. But with Aleksey Rebko, the Voronezh side managed to add a bit – they achieved wins away against "Krylia Sovetov" in the league and "Krasnodar" in the cup. The coach will field the squad – in the league things are very bad.
"Akhmat" remains one of Fakel’s most comfortable opponents – the Voronezh side have the advantage in head‑to‑head since their last return to the elite.
In "Akhmat", things are very bad – in the last five matches, the team only played a draw, and in the league they fell into the relegation‑playoff zone. Stanislav Cherchesov will also rotate, but in the cup they start and some key players are used.
"Akhmat" has never won away this season. It is unlikely they will do so in Voronezh, but the visiting side is stronger and may not lose in regular time.
Prediction: 0-0
