TFT Issue 3377!

Rubin Kazan vs FK Khimki

KO: 16:00 (UK time)

I remember watching Rubin Kazan earlier in the season, wondering if – and when – their talented youngsters would finally flourish. They’ve been seemingly cutting corners for a while, trying to avoid spending where possible, and signings youngsters seemed a bit of a cop out to me. However, those kids have really started to come of age in 2021, and Rubin have now won five games on the spin. All that makes me a shade cautious today is superstition really, because not many Russian teams can win six on the spin – and they’re generally not one of them.

When I watch them execute experienced boss Slutskiy’s tactical precision in each game, though, I can’t help but admire Rubin. Whether they’re sitting back and playing on the break, or whether they’re playing on the front foot, they’ve suddenly become a rather accomplished team, Rubin. The star of the show is Georgia’s Kvaratskhelia, and there’s not a chance in hell he’ll be at the club next season because he’s too good for them, and too good for the division. His awareness, his first touch, his skill, his movement, his speed – he’s a real handful, all wrapped up in a typically Georgian bow of sheer tenacity! 

Having a good target man like Despotovic has helped, of course – he’s had a good season, the Serbian. The other star alongside Kvaratskhelia has been Makarov though, already with six goals to his name. Watching him embarrass Lovren against Zenit recently makes me wonder if there’s a better level for him to play at too, although it’s a bit late in the day for him really – I have to believe that if he’s capable of playing that way more often, he’d have left Russia by now. Still, the bottom line is that Rubin have a lot of good things happening at once right now, and it looks impossible to contain them. I think they can impress themselves upon Khimki today too.

I don’t see it being an easy one though. Much like their hosts, Khimki have started to turn it on lately, producing some very steely, organised displays to pick up seven points from a possible nine. Truth be told, that run has been enough to quash their name from being mentioned amongst potential relegation candidates, and they’ve certainly earned their Premier League place for next season by being incredibly smart on and off the pitch this season. They’ve got a lot right, and their organisation under Cherevchenko makes me think that Rubin are going to need to be at their best to win this one.

The thing is that Rubin look more capable in front of goal though. Khimki have some good strengths at the moment, and a good confidence level, but they still don’t convert enough opportunities. Striker Dyadyun is a good example as to why. He’s known for being a workhorse in Russia, and he still is, but he’s not a natural finisher. He – and Konate – play important roles up front for the club but mostly in a supportive manner. There’s nobody there to take the bull by the horns and score goals, you know?

Khimki do have good, experienced goal-getters in midfield though, namely in Mirzov and Glushakov. Koryan and Kukharchuk have contributed on that front this season too. When embroiled in a game with a team that has a better, more clinical attack than them though, I always fear for minnows Khimki. They’re an impressive unit, but if you get the lead against them, you can beat them – and Rubin can do that here. Keeping in mind how important organisation is for the visitors, the knowledge that defensive midfielder Troshechkin is out is a humongous blow for the visitors. Forward Dyadyun is also on the sidelines too, and Rubin is not the kind of team to face with such absentees at this moment in time.

Again, I think it’ll be tight, but 4/5 on the far more creative and clinical Rubin Kazan represents value to me right now.

Verdict: Rubin Kazan to win at 4/5.

Paderborn 07 vs Karlsruher SC

KO: 17:30 (UK time)

I had to wait for the team news before making my final call on this one. Karlsruher SC have entered a bit of a slump over the past couple of games, and I honestly couldn’t say if they’ve been more frustrated by their opponents or by themselves – arguably a bit of both.

The visitors have struck gold tonight though. Facing Paderborn is never an easy game, but facing them without defensive organiser Hunemeier is a lot easier than facing them with him. The visitors have got a remarkably early yellow card for the veteran against high-flying St. Pauli to thank for it too, meaning he’s suspended here. Not only is he their organiser and most experienced defender, but also the one that keeps those around him composed. It’s not a secret that Paderborn are not good defensively anyway; few Bundesliga 2 teams are. However, with him in their squad, they can sometimes ride a storm out. Without him, however, I really don’t think that they can.

I think Paderborn themselves will appreciate the timing of this fixture though. Yes, Hunemeier being out is crap, and new defender Burgy is still out too, which is also far from ideal. Karlsruher SC tend to be sitting ducks when they’re not scoring goals though, and they’ve not scored many at all recently. At this point, I’ve no idea as to whether Paderborn are simply trying to ensure that they avoid the relegation battle or whether they’re making a stupidly late, almost impossible push for promotion, but they need to win either way. The Bundesliga 2 is a harsh, unforgiving competition, and Paderborn know it. I’m not sure they’ll pass up on such an opportunity tonight.

Paderborn have a good attack; one that has only been strengthened by the arrival of Akolo, although when he’ll actually bloody play is anybody’s guess. Fuhrich has been on fire this season, and the support he gets from the tremendous engines that are Antwi-Adjei and Vasiliadis helps a great deal. Despite Srbeny’s goals in attack, their main man in the final third has to be Michel, whom they might have launched a more legitimate promotion push with the services of, had he not been injured at the start of the season. His return is most opportune though; he can unlock any defence at this level. Terrazzino’s arrival at the club has afforded them an extra level of creativity and unpredictability too, as he drifts between lines and into channels well. They’ve got enough to hurt Karlsruher SC; let me put it that way.

The visitors need to start scoring goals again though, and facing Paderborn without Hunemeier represents a good opportunity for them to do so. Star striker Hofmann has only bagged once in 2021 but his role is 50/50 when it comes to scoring and creating because he’s simply a target man. It’s those around him that need to continue to do more in order to make the team more effective. Kyoung-rok, Wanitzek, Gondorf, Batmaz, and Goller can all do it though, and they need to go for the win here. The visitors have a more legitimate shot at promotion than their hosts, and it’s been quite long enough since they were last in the Bundesliga, so I’d like to think that they’ll throw caution to the wind tonight.

With the above in mind, backing over 2.5 goals at 4/5 is appealing to me.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 4/5.