On Sunday 4 May, Khimki will play at home against Rostov. The hosts have a tournament objective - they still have a chance to avoid the knockout matches and keep their place in the RPL. Rostov can fully switch to the Russian Cup. There is no sporting motivation left in the championship.

Khimki surprisingly continue to cling to the top league. The outsider suffers for lack of salaries. In the team allegedly stopped funding. The players even went on strike, but continue to perform their work qualitatively.

Khimki even amid the scandal and the resignation of the coach managed to lose to Zenit with a difference of only one goal. Then there was a hard-fought meeting with Akron - 2:2. Khimki, with new coach Magomed Adiev, are still bright in attack. The outsider has scored in six consecutive matches. The resignation of Frank Artiga has not had a negative impact here. The odds on Khimki vs Akron were overvalued. The odds were 2.70 to win.

Khimki doesn't have any radical problems with the roster. The core of players would allow them to fight for high places in other circumstances. Goalkeeper Nikita Kokarev also gives an extra effect. The goalkeeper is the best in terms of the percentage of deflected shots.

Rostov is springing surprises with new coach Jonathan Alba. The prediction of total failure of the club without Valeri Karpin is not confirmed. Rostov is even still a contender for a trophy - they managed to make a breakthrough in the Cup of Russia. The southerners reached the final of the Way of the Regions and will play against Spartak. In midweek they defeated Lokomotiv Moscow - 2:0.

There is not only a positive effect, but also fatigue. Still, now the Cup comes to the forefront. It will be logical to sacrifice matches in the championship. It is not excluded that Alba will release on the field not the main squad, will give more chances to the young. The coach has no bench depth. In this regard, Khimki may gain a significant advantage.

Khimki lost easily to Rostov in the first round. The Moscow Region club was an ideal opponent for Valeri Karpin. The outsider has no victories over the southerners since 2021. The series has already totalled eight matches.

Now bookmakers give odds of 3.50 on the hosts. The odds look unfair to Khimki. Still, the players' revolt is behind them, now the club has a qualified coach Magomed Adiev. Khimki need, firstly, to play for sporting motivation, and secondly, because of the potential change of club - the players are earning new contracts right now. Rostov has no motivation. The team will play away with virtually empty stands, and with serious fatigue. Khimki's roster is not much inferior in terms of player quality. It's logical to assume that the visitors won't give up a draw.