Krylya Sovetov vs Dinamo Makhachkala: preview
We outline the scenarios for the match between Krylya Sovetov and Dinamo Makhachkala in the context of the fifth round of the group stage of the 2026/27 Russian Cup. The Samara side fights to reach the upper zone, while the Makhachkala side has been eliminated from the Cup and only holds phantom hopes of continuing to compete in the spring.
Key moments
Krylya Sovetov
1. "Krylya" are unstable, but they do not collapse in the league or the cup. Thanks to the home win against "Rubin" in the league, the Samara side moved up to eighth place. However, it cannot be said that "Krylya" feel comfortable far from the relegation zone: the density is high. The Samara side remains unstable – recently on their own ground they let "Fakel" achieve their first league win (1:2) and at the start of the season they lost 1:4 to Dinamo Makhachkala. In the Cup things are going well, although they do not shine: "Krylya" lose to "Baltika" in extra time and lost the last match against the Calinigrados on their own ground – 0:2.
2. Sergey Bulaev will carry out a serious rotation before the match against "Zenit". Before playing the champion and for the reward of having won the Volga derby, the head coach of "Krylya" will give a break to most of the starting players. The defensive wingers Kirill Pechenin and Fernando Costanza, who work hard in every match, will rest. Yuri Gorshkov, who returned to Samara, will have a pause before the encounter with his former club, as he has been one of the best assistants of the team thanks to his set‑piece passes. The same applies to the veterans of the team, Maxim Vityugov and Amar Rakhmanovich.
3. "Krylya" do not know how to play with the first position. This season, the Samara side often took points from higher‑ranked teams: in the Cup they lost on penalties to "Zenit", in the league they drew 0:0 at home with "Dinamo", 1:1 away at CSKA, recovered 0:2 against "Krasnodar" at home and saved a draw with "Spartak". However, playing with the first position is difficult for the Volga men. The worst matches for "Krylya" were played against teams that dominate vertical and strength football. On their own ground, the Samara side lost to "Fakel", Dinamo Makhachkala and "Baltika". The same Calinigrados also lost 0:2 in the Cup. The next meeting with the Makhachkala side seems complicated – Vadim Yevseev, who has not won in a long time, may motivate the team to fight.
Dinamo Makhachkala
1. Dinamo Makhachkala has not won since 6 September. The Dagestan club jumped at the start of the season above the others – with a squad at the level of fighting for survival they were in the leaders’ group. However, later the team of Vadim Yevseev fell predictably to the middle of the table and then to the fight to avoid relegation in the border matches. In the last six matches in all competitions, "Dinamo" earned only one point – they could not beat "Akron" at home (1:1). There was a clearly failed meeting in Oranburgo (0:4). Even worse, in the Cup they only earned one point, but the hopes of reaching the spring remain: after "Krylya" they will play against "Baltika".
2. The team has squad problems in defense, but Alibekov can play. The captain of "Dinamo", Mutalip Alibekov, received the fourth yellow card in the Premier League in the match against "Zenit" and will miss the next round. Therefore, he can play in the Cup. In defense, the Dagestani have problems – in St. Petersburg the defender played as an offensive midfielder, Kirill Zinovich. Among the stars of "Dinamo" in Samara, Gamed Agalarov can also start from the bench. Goalkeeper Timur Magomedov will surely return to the base. The midfielders Ússam Mrezig – Daler Kuzuyev will rest.
3. "Krylya" – a comfortable rival for "Dinamo". The history of encounters between these teams is short – the Makhachkala side entered the Premier League two years ago. However, during this time they have stood out as a solid team both with Hasanbi Bidjeve and with Vadim Yevseev. Of the eight direct matches, "Dinamo" has won five, four of them clearly. They also look good in Samara, where they won in the past and this year. Given the difficulties of "Krylya" against the underestimated, the Makhachkala side cannot be ruled out, despite their own poor form.
Approximate lineups
4-1-4-1 4-2-3-1 39 Frolov 18 Lepsky 5 Oros 3 Galdames 72 Fernandes 20 Stolbov 17 Chesnokov 7 Banya 97 Ahmetov 73 Shitov 67 Mukailov 39 Magomedov 43 Ahmedov 24 Alarcon 13 Kagermazov 23 Mahamadjonov 30 Alexandrov 21 Jabrailov 47 Glushkov 9 Magomedov 88 Lesovoy 25 Agalarov
Betting trends
"Dinamo" won five of the eight direct matches. P2 – for 4.15.
In five of the eight direct matches only one team scored. Only one will score – for 2.4.
Prediction
Krylya Sovetov vs Dinamo Makhachkala 29.10.2026 18:00
"Krylya" moved into the first half of the league table and continues to fight to enter the playoffs of the upper Cup zone, but they appear unstable. The team has earned points from almost all the leaders this season, but they do not know how to play with the first position against vertical and strength opponents on their own ground – that is why they lost to "Fakel", Dinamo Makhachkala and "Baltika". Ahead, the Volga men have a match against "Zenit", so Sergey Bulaev can change the team almost completely. "Dinamo" has not won since 6 September – at the start of the season the team of Vadim Yevseev was in the leaders’ group, but now they have moved to the usual positions near the border matches. The main players of the Makhachkala side that should start are Mutalip Alibekov and Gamed Agalarov. "Krylya" is one of the most comfortable opponents for "Dinamo" since their exit to the Premier League. Winning at home is unlikely, but taking a draw in regulation time is within reach. Prediction: 1-1
Porto — Napoli: Match Preview and Forecast for the Fourth Group Stage Round of the 2026/27 Champions League
Porto — Napoli: Match Preview We have the predictions for the encounter between Porto and Napoli in the fourth round of the group stage of the Champions League for the 2026/27 season. "Porto" surely expects to correct a lot at home, while "Napoli" arrives in Portugal with too many doubts — especially regarding their squad. **Key Points** **Porto** 1. On home ground they dominate the acceleration In the league, Francesco Farioli’s side demolished "Estoril" 4:0. Earlier, the "dragons" beat "A.C. Académica de Viseu" in the cup and "Juventus de Viseu" — both matches ended 1:0. However, European history is different: a 0:1 home loss to PSV and failures away against "Betis" 2:3. There is a contrast: in the national competition they gain rhythm, while in the Champions League they are in a situation where there is almost no margin for another fall. 2. There are losses, but not catastrophic Among the absences before the match is William Gomes: the player suffers an ankle injury and will not be able to play against "Napoli". Vasco Sousa has been injured for a long time. Additionally, the base has the possibility to distribute the load in the last league round: in the match against "Estoril" Farioli used rotation and substitutions. Specifically, André Silva came on for Samu and scored, and Veiga left the field early after a productive stint. This allows the coach not to overload key players before the European fixture. 3. The attack has found good rhythm Porto distributed effectiveness among several players and scored three times in nine minutes of the second half against "Estoril". First, Frocholdt scored in the fourth minute and helped the team take the initiative, Sains doubled the advantage, then André Silva stood out, who came on as a substitute, and soon Veiga closed the match. For the encounter with "Napoli" it is an important signal: the home side has several ways to finish attacks, and the opponent will have to watch more than one player. **Napoli** 1. Results are erratic, the defense does not convince In the Champions League, the Neapolitans beat "Budeo-Glint" 4:3, although with four goals they allowed the opponent to score three times in their own nets. In the league, there was then a brilliant 4:1 victory over "Móncita", but before the trip to Porto the squad lost 0:2 to "Juventus". Among these results there was also a 3:3 draw with "Roma". In the last five matches, Napoli had three games with three or more goals scored, but at the same time usual problems in their own goal. 2. Allegri will have to build the fragmented squad In the match against "Juve" Giovanni Di Lorenzo suffered a muscle tear, Kevin De Bruyne a ligament sprain of the ankle, and Mattias Olivera also left the field with an injury. His participation in the match with "Porto" is questionable. Additionally, the absentees Alessandro Buoniorno, Leonardo Spina, Stanislav Lobotka, David Neres, Allison Santos and Benoua Badiashil are already missing. An additional uncertainty relates to Rasmussen Høilund — the forward missed the match against "Juventus" due to illness and trained separately. 3. Even De Bruyne’s exit does not guarantee the usual quality Even if the midfielder manages to recover for the fixture, having his optimal form immediately after the injury would be premature. Limited availability can affect the intensity of ball work, movement between lines and the ability to maintain a high tempo throughout the game. If De Bruyne does not enter the starting lineup, the most obvious substitution would be Billy Gilmore, who came in his place in the match against "Juventus". In any case, the uncertainty around the Belgian remains an important factor when evaluating Napoli’s offensive potential. **Approximate lineups** 4-3-3 3-4-2-1 199 Cocha 4 Kiver 5 Bednarik 12 Sanu 20 Cocha 10 Veiga 13 Rosario 8 Frocholdt 17 Sains 11 Pepa 9 Omorion 1 Meret 31 Bekema 13 Rahmani 16 Zamora 21 Polito 99 Zambo-Angissa 11 De Bruyne 17 Oliveira 8 Maktoine 26 Vergara 19 Høilund 12 **Betting on the trend** In the last four matches of "Porto" and five of the last nine away trips of "Napoli", at least one of the teams did not score. Odds: OZ — not 2.17. In three of the last four encounters of "Porto" and three of the five last away trips of "Napoli", no more than two goals were scored. Odds: TM 2.5 for 2.09. **Forecast** Porto vs Napoli 05.11.2026 00:00 Porto has arguments to expect a result. Farioli’s team won their last three matches in national tournaments, and the 4:0 defeat of "Estoril" showed the variety with which the home side can finish attacks. On the other hand, defeats against PSV and "Betis" remind that in the Champions League this rhythm is not always maintained. Napoli’s situation is even less predictable: victories over "Budeo-Glint" and "Móncita" along with a draw against "Roma" and the loss to "Juventus", and the defense allows too much to opponents. An impressive list of squad problems adds up. Several key players, including Di Lorenzo and De Bruyne, are in doubt, and the absence of the latter is especially painful for construction. However, it cannot be ruled out that, without perfect stability, they can score in mass, as demonstrated in the match against "Budeo-Glint". But in the trip against "Porto", which has just found an offensive rhythm and has time for rotation, squad losses may outweigh. The preference here is logical towards the home side: "Porto" seems a more coherent option, and Napoli’s problems are too extensive to ignore. Forecast: 2-1
