Rubin — Krylya Sovetov: Preview
We discuss the predictions for the Rubin and Krylya Sovetov match in the 12th round of the 2026/27 Russian league. During the September break, both Volga teams lost all their good form. In three matches the Kazan side has three defeats, and the Samara side a draw and two defeats.
Key points
Rubin
1. How much longer will Frank Artiaga stay?
The Spanish coach is approaching resignation. Ildar Akhmetxanov from "Orenburg" had already been mentioned as a successor. However, the coach of the "gazoviki" himself refuted all rumors last week, affirming his loyalty to the project. That does not mean the question cannot return later.
Objectively, in one year in Kazan Frank Artiaga has not built anything interesting. The club wanted to move away from the dull but effective football of Rashid Rakhimov. The sale of Mirland Dakú even for a large sum did not fit the idea. Without the striker, the attack became completely disorganised. The defence lost reliability a long time ago. In the last two matches "Rubin" conceded four goals against "Orenburg" and "Spartak". With Rashid Rakhimov, at least the defence was in order.
2. Did Rubin decide to distract everyone with the news of Tang Ndombele?
The former French international joined a trial at Rubin, and the news spread across all major European media. In reality, the situation is trivial: the midfielder has one or two weeks to prove himself, and if he is good he will be offered a contract in winter. Right now he is out of play.
Nothing works at Rubin. Ilya Samoshniov's return after suspension will not change anything radically. Even an additional elite player in attack will not add, because there is simply no leader on the bench. Jacques Sive stopped scoring, and Anderson Arroyo cannot go out with energy.
3. In the RPL Rubin has lost 13 consecutive matches
The nightmare of Rashid Rakhimov. The Kazan style of play under the previous coach cannot be called beautiful, it was very dull. But the effectiveness was present: Kazan remained firmly in the middle of the table. They wanted more, they got it.
With Frank Artiaga the goal‑conceding streak started at the end of last season. Before "Rubin" almost always let in exactly one goal, ending in a 1:1 draw. And the last trip to Moscow ended with 0:4 against Spartak.
Against Krylya Sovetov, the head‑to‑head matches are one or two goals. It is not difficult to calculate that a goal conceded is almost a guarantee of losing points.
Krylya Sovetov
1. Krylya Sovetov failed the home‑match series again
Throughout the year at their own stadium the team won two matches, but only one of them was "at home". The regional derby against "Akron" (3:0) is officially recorded as away, although everyone understands it. The true home victory is only over the outsider "Rodina" (2:1) with Kirill Stolbov's goal in the 88th minute.
After the break with the national team, Krylya Sovetov played three consecutive home matches: a 1:1 draw against Spartak, although the Moscow side played at a disadvantage after the expulsion of goalkeeper Alexander Maksimenkov; defeats against "Baltika" (0:2) and "Fakel" (1:2) from the bottom of the table. New questions for head coach Sergey Bulatov's staff. He is not under threat of dismissal like Frank Artiaga, but he cannot relax.
2. Is the defeat against Fakel a reason for changes in the starting lineup?
Last week Sergey Bulatov's staff clearly divided two squads for the cup and the league. It did not work: two home defeats and four goals conceded. On a normal day it is a reason to consider changes in the starting line, but Krylya Sovetov can spare them. There are no new injuries or suspensions. The defeat against Fakel can be explained by the change of the rival's main coach. There are no obvious options on the bench, except the recovered winger Islam Chesnokov from injury.
3. Krylya Sovetov — away team
In the season away from Samara, exactly zero defeats in the league and cup. In summer Krylya Sovetov did not lose consecutively against Moscow's "Dynamo" (0:0) and CSKA (1:1) — the current leaders of the RPL. They were superior in the Akron derby (3:0), and before the national team break they beat Moscow's "Lokomotiv". In seven away matches in the RPL and cup, five draws and two wins. It seems a perfect night for another draw, especially against Rubin.
Approximate lineups
5-4-1 4-1-4-2-3-1 38
Staver 2
Tesslenko 5
Vuyachich 98
Lobov 71
Samoshnikov 12
Arroy 7
Babaev 11
Gripshi 6
Ivu 10
Salcedo 43
Sive 80
Kokarev 15
Rasskakov 23
Chernov 47
Bozhin 2
Pechinin 22
Kostants 4
Gorshkov 17
Chesnokov 8
Vityugov 10
Kramarich 11
Rakhmanovich
Trending bets
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Prediction
Rubin vs Krylya Sovetov 24.10.2026 18:15
Rubin and Krylya Sovetov after the national team break play poorly. The Kazan side has ruined itself twice consecutively — against Orenburg in the cup and Spartak in the league. Coach Frank Artiaga is working in Kazan in the last days, if nothing changes radically. There was talk of inviting Ildar Akhmedzhanov, but it will probably be another coach. The Samara side has no resignation talks yet, but Sergey Bulatov's result demands it. Rubin lost that reliability in defence, conceding 13 consecutive matches in the RPL. Most games in the series ended in a 1:1 draw. Krylya Sovetov in the current form would produce such a result, as the streak of failures needs to be interrupted. In the season, by the way, the Samara side did not lose any away match — two wins and five draws. In other words, a 1:1 draw seems appropriate.
Prediction: 1-1
