CSKA Moscow vs Rubin Kazan’
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Today’s secondary featured game is the Russian Premier League game in Khimki between CSKA Moscow and Rubin Kazan’.
I’ve been a bit critical of hosts CSKA this season and rightfully so, I feel. They’re very one-dimensional and rely far too much on their stars for my liking. However, they are an efficient side and they do get the job done and as the first game of the second stage of the Russian Premier League, I do feel it’s important that they get themselves off to a good start here. Their key players are Doumbia, Vagner Love, Akinfeev, and Honda, in my view. Doumbia is having a terrific season and Vagner Love provides sufficient distraction for his Ivorian team-mate to wreak havoc. Honda appears less sulky now and CSKA look better for it and as for Akinfeev – well, you all know how good a goalkeeper he is. A few of CSKA’s midfielders haven’t pulled their weight this season, truth be told – Dzagoev has nicked a few goals but hasn’t really had the same affect on his team as he did last season and Tosic may have impressed from set pieces but as an actual winger, he’s a shade disappointing. However, CSKA have enough strength in their squad and enough unpredictability in attack to score goals so I do fancy their chances here.
I rate Rubin Kazan’ quite highly but this season wears on and their players look more and more tired. It’s not for no reason, either – the vast majority of their starting eleven have featured in most of their games this season so fatigue is to be expected, especially as this season is quite unique as the Russian Premier League has been extended into a few format this year. We all know that Rubin are weak in the striker area of the field, hence their midfield frequently carrying them. However, seriously – how many games have Ryzantesev, Noboa, Natcho, and Karadeniz started? Far too many when you consider how important they all are to the team. They make Rubin a good side, it’s true, but the squad rotation balance just hasn’t been there and I believe that this is the time when they’ll begin to show it.
For me, CSKA are worth the bet at evens today. Rubin are normally a tough customer and may prove to be today but CSKA have more options in front of goal and Rubin have been tired in the last few weeks so more of the same should yield a home win here.
Verdict: CSKA Moscow to win at evens.
Friday’s Picks
Accumulator fodder:
SCR Altach, Jablonec, The New Saints.
Recommended bets:
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!
Argentinian Primera Division:
Newell’s Old Boys vs Tigre (5) 1-0
San Martin de San Juan vs All Boys (5) 1-1
Australian A-League:
Gold Coast United vs Melbourne Heart (6) 1-0
Austrian Liga 1:
Blau-Weiss Linz vs Hartberg (7)
St.Polten vs WAC/St.Andra (6)
Lustenau vs LASK Linz (6)
Grodig vs Austria Lustenau (5)
SCR Altach vs First Vienna (8) over 2.5 goals
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
OH Leuven vs Standard de Liege (6) 1-1
Bulgarian A PFG:
Botev Vratsa vs Beroe (6) 0-0
Croatian Prva Liga:
NK Zagreb vs Cibalia Vinkovci (6) 2-1
Split vs Dinamo Zagreb (4) 1-1
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Jablonec vs Sigma Olomouc (8) 2-0
Ecuadorian Primera A:
LDU Loja vs Independiente (6) 2-1
French Ligue 1:
Olympique Lyonnais vs Stade Rennais (5) 1-1
Toulouse vs LOSC Lille (6) 1-1
German Bundesliga:
Kaiserslautern vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen (7) 1-2
Hungarian Soproni Liga:
Lombard Papa vs Ujpest (5) 2-1
Peruvian Primera Division:
Cienciano vs CNI (7) 2-0
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Zaglebie Lubin vs Polonia Warsaw (5) 1-1
Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Slask Wroclaw (6) 0-0
Romanian Liga:
Petrolul Ploiesti vs Targu Mures (5) 0-1
Otelul Galati vs Sportul Studentesc (7) 1-0
Russian Premier League:
Zenit St.Petersburg vs Anzhi Makhachkala (7) 1-0
CSKA Moscow vs Rubin Kazan’ (7) 2-0
Spanish Segunda Liga:
Gimnastic de Tarragona vs Guadalajara (7)
Turkish Super Lig:
Mersin Idmanyurdu vs Trabzonspor (7) 1-1
Ukrainian Premier League:
Illichievs Mariupol vs Arsenal Kiev (6) 2-1
Welsh Premier League:
Aberystwyth Town vs Airbus UK (6) 1-0
Afan Lido vs The New Saints (8) 0-2
Enjoy your free betting tips!