Moscow will host WINLINE Game of the Week between CSKA and Zenit on Sunday.
Place: Russia, Moscow, Megasport
Time: November 23, 2025, 16:30
Broadcasts: VK Video, League website
Rivalry
The most intense rivalry in recent years will continue in Moscow. Zenit, the best team in the League against CSKA, prevailed in the previous regular season, winning 3-1. This did not help the St. Petersburg team in the Playoffs. The rivals faced in the Finals, CSKA won 4-2.
In September, the Moscow team defeated Zenit in the final of the Belgrade SuperCup. The first official game between the opponents in the new season immediately became a classic. On October 12 in St. Petersburg, CSKA snatched win with Anton Astapkovich shot in the final seconds – 85:84. The rivalry history score is – 38:23, the Moscow team leads.
Situation
A week ago, CSKA played another crucial and dramatic game, this time losing to UNICS in Kazan. On Tuesday, the Moscow team faced BETCITY PARMA, which Andreas Pistolis’ team beat in the in-season Cup by 38 points. Now CSKA will try to get back to winning in the League – the win would allow to continue chasing UNICS, as well as get ahead of Zenit.
At the very least, the St. Petersburg team is responding to the challenges and doing everything possible to achieve this, including being active in the transfer market. As for the game, the sadness from injuries was replaced by 2 consecutive home wins (MBA-MAI and Pari NN), and since November 12, the team has played only 2 games and had a rare opportunity to rest. A win over CSKA would be a positive sign, confirming that the losing streak is now in the past.
Arrivals
This week, the St. Petersburg team was reinforced by another former NBA player Noah Vonleh. If the scouting works as successfully in this case as it did with recent newcomer Luka Samanic, Zenit’s frontline promises to become one of the strongest in the League as the new stars adapt.
Return
Zenit’s roster has recently welcomed back Nenad Dimitrijevic, Levi Randolph and Georgy Zhbanov, who have recovered from injuries. Alekaander Sekulic praised Zhbanov for the energy he brought against Pari NN. Sergey Karasev and Andre Roberson are also eager to return. According to the Slovenian coach, the team has become more united after the injury epidemic.
Shooting
This week, CSKA won its first win in the WINLINE Basket Cup, making 21 three-pointers of 37 attempts (56.8%) against PARMA. Casper Ware scored 9 of 13 three -pointers (31 points, a new Cup record).
With 104 points, the Moscow team had the highest-scoring game in the history of in-season tournament.
Numbers
Zenit has beaten the Moscow team more often than any other team in the VTB League – 23 times.
CSKA (88.4 points) and Zenit (87.6) are the two highest-scoring teams of the season.
The teams lead in three-point percentage with almost identical numbers – 39.6 versus 39.2.
Zenit is second in turnovers (11.7, behind only MBA-MAI with 10.5) and blocks (3.8 against 4.3 for MBA-MAI).
