CSKA Moscow vs Anzhi Makhachkala
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Today’s secondary featured game is the Russian Premier League game between CSKA Moscow and Anzhi Makhachkala. The hosts command the same level of respect that Anzhi hope to attain with their continued stream of impressive signings and I personally think that they’re already very close, although it has to be said that that’s largely due to CSKA Moscow failing to develop properly.
I look at the top of the table and I’m somewhat mystified by CSKA Moscow most of the time. They’re top of the Russian Premier League, somehow, but they’re not playing well enough to merit it, in my view. It’s their counter-attacking ability on the road that is doing them proud, not their frankly below-par home form. Did you know that only five teams have won less home games than CSKA have this season? Three of those are in the bottom four, too! CSKA simply aren’t a goalscoring side anymore and their form tends to be largely dictated by whether Vagner Love/Doumbia show up or not. I’ve genuinely never seen a CSKA side so utterly bereft of creativity as the one they have now is. Gone are the days of Daniel Carvalho, Milos Krasic, and Yury Zhirkov, to name a few. Nowadays, it’s the sulky Honka, the stagnant Dzagoev, the pacey-but-no-end-product Gonzalez, and a bunch of battlers. CSKA are still one of the best sides from set pieces in Russia for me – they’ll always be a threat there – but I simply don’t rate their goalscoring ability, especially against sides that they have to break down.
Visitors Anzhi Makhachkala may become something of a public bet over the coming weeks/months due to their continual financial muscle and the talented players that it invovles them signing. For instance, their most recent acquisition was PSV Eindhoven’s Hungarian star Balasz Dzsudzsak, which is a great signing for them. All Anzhi are lacking is potency to become the best side in Russia because this side is incredibly good at the back. They’ve got the best defensive record in Russia right now and have only lost two away games this season. Anzhi are really starting to gather some momentum as their squad begins to gel and I genuinely rate them more than CSKA Moscow right now because of the consistent way that they’re playing – reliable defence, lethal counter-attacks, good passing. Stick Boussouffa and Dzsudzsak in that midfield and you have enough creativity to win games for Anzhi. They need a better striker than Diego Tardelli long-term, good as he is – Anzhi need to take their chances in a Zenit-esque style to become the force that they wish to be. Nonetheless, one defeat in their last nine games demonstrates that Anzhi are on the rise and I think it’d be madness to accept that CSKA are even shorter than 1/2 to win this game today.
I’m not saying that it’s a banker; far from it. However, Anzhi are somehow 8/5 to not lose this game when they’ve proven to be a nightmare side to beat this season and when CSKA have consistently proven to struggle to break through solid defences. It just looks very generous to me, is all. If that doesn’t grab you then under 2.5 goals at 4/5 should between two sides that don’t score many goals.
Verdict: Lay CSKA Moscow at 8/5.
Tuesday’s Picks
My tips:
No other singles appeal to me today, guys – sorry!
Accumulator fodder:
Trans Narva, Levadia Tallinn, Nomme Kalju.
Recommended bets:
No multiples appeal to me today – sorry guys!
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
UEFA European U21 Championship:
Switzerland vs Iceland (5) 2-2
Denmark vs Belarus (5) 0-0
Estonian Meistriliiga:
Ajas Lasnamae vs Trans Narva (8) 0-2
Kuressaare vs Flora Paide (6) 2-1
Levadia Tallinn vs Viljandi (8) 2-0
Maag Tammeka Tartu vs Nomme Kalju (8) 1-2
Sillamae Kalev vs Flora Tallinn (5) 2-2
Russian Premier League:
Tom’ Tomsk vs Spartak Moscow (6) 0-0
Amkar Perm’ vs Terek Grozny (5) 1-0
Zenit St.Petersburg vs Rostov-na-Donu (6) 2-1
Lokomotiv Moscow vs Spartak Nal’chik (5) 1-0
Krylya Sovetov Samara vs Kuban’ Krasnodar (4) 0-1
CSKA Moscow vs Anzhi Makhachkala (6) 0-0
Rubin Kazan’ vs Dinamo Moscow (6) 1-1
FK Krasnodar vs Volga Niznhyi Novgorod (5) 1-2
Enjoy your free betting tips!