Kuban Krasnodar v Zenit St Petersburg
Football: Russian Premier League 2009/2010
Sunday, 18th October 2009. 15:30

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Kuban Krasnodar (15th)

Kuban’ has reassured itself as the top candidate to join Khimki in their journey to the First Division. Southern club suffered a dismal 4-0 defeat in Luzhniki against CSKA Moscow, allowing the opposition to score all goals in a matter of 15 minutes. It is not the first time that Kuban fall apart after conceding. Spartak Moscow and Moskva have all had the pleasure to score 4 goals against the southerners.

With Spartak Nalchik looking ever so confident at the moment – Kuban has to give 110% in any remaining fixture. Krasnodar is without a scored goal in last two league games. Romanian defensive midfielder Andrey Mureshan has recovered from injury and is back to full training. Goalkeeper Alexey Botviniev is still healing his hip and is not expected to start.

Kuban’ loves to welcome top clubs in Krasnodar and a full house of over 20 000 spectators is expected to support relegation strugglers. Defender Anri Khagush is suspended.

Zenit St Petersburg (4th)

No one could have even thought that Zenit would be considered as one of the title favorites after the humiliating 0-2 defeat to Tom’ in St. Petersburg late in the summer of 2009. Anatoly Davydov’s era has been almost a fairy tale at the moment, but will it have an appropriate ending remains to be seen.

Zenit came from 0-1 down to beat Dinamo Moscow 2-1 in the previous round. The match was more difficult for the team than ever as Vladymir Bystrov had to serve suspension. Despite missing their start-man Zenit found the required resources to score one goal more than the opponent.

Fatih Tekke and Mateja Kezman – new striking duo of St. Petersburg attack – have earned the victory. Special credit, of course, goes to the refereeing department who enthusiastically helped Zenit with a couple of great decisions.

St. Petersburg club is still unbeaten under Davydov and go into the match with a 5 match winning streak.

Betting advice

In my opinion Kuban' is doomed. Not in this particular match, but in the relegation battle against Spartak Nalchik.

The given odds are a bit rough, as a result I'm turning my attention to the O/U option.

Kuban' tends to play low scoring home games, but this time something has got to give. A draw is not something home side shall be content with.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Over 2.5 goals @ 2.05 with Bet365, or @ 2.02 with Ladbrokes.