Zenit vs CSKA. Preview

Xavi Pascual's team is gearing up for a crucial clash against CSKA, a game that will play a key role in determining the top spot in the regular season standings. March has been a challenging and intense month for Zenit, featuring a tough away trip to Krasnodar and three more road games in just nine days. However, the blue-whites are now returning home, where they can count on powerful support from their fans — expect a sold-out crowd at CSC Arena!

Here’s everything you need to know about the 40th round of the VTB United League regular season.

Conext

Both teams enter this matchup riding impressive winning streaks: CSKA with 10 consecutive victories, while Zenit boasts 15. In recent rounds, the "army team" secured confident home wins over MBA-MAI (90:62) and PARMA (94:85), as well as a hard-fought away victory against Lokomotiv Kuban (84:88).

CSKA leads the league in multiple statistical categories, including average scoring (91.8 points), field goal percentage (49.7%), free throw percentage (81.8%) and assists (20.9 per game). Additionally, they commit the fewest fouls per game — just 18.9 (compared to their closest rivals, Zenit and UNICS, who average 20.3 each).

Both CSKA (40%) and Zenit (37.7%) are among the top teams in three-point shooting this season. CSKA’s guard Ivan Ukhov is the tournament’s absolute leader in this category, posting an impressive 49.4% accuracy.

Key roles in Andreas Pistiolis’ system are still played by American point guard Melo Trimble (14.1 points, 3.8 assists, 1.7 steals) and Serbian shooting guard Aleksa Avramovic (13.4 points, 3.3 assists, 1.4 steals), both of whom consistently deliver strong performances.

Head-to-head

The history of VTB United League encounters between these teams includes 53 games, with CSKA leading the series 33:20. However, in the current season, Zenit holds the upper hand in head-to-head battles, having won 82:78 in St. Petersburg and 66:79 in Moscow. But CSKA took the first meeting of the season in October with an 83:77 victory.

Quotes

Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual on the upcoming game against CSKA:

A big game is in front of us, probably the two teams with a better record right now. Knowing that it's an excellent team and that it's going to be a very big game for us, it's important to start well, to play with our supporters together in a game full of emotions. For sure, a very important game because we are playing in this moment for the first spot. But in any case, winning or losing in front of us, it will be a long way to go to win the trophy. So, an important game, but not extremely crucial.

Who. Where. When. 

Opponent: CSKA

Location: CSC Arena, St. Petersburg

Date: March 30, 14:00 (local time)

Broadcast: Match TV, VTB United League website, Okko Sport, Start TV