Moskva - Zenit
Football: Russian Premier League 2009/2010
Saturday, 31st October 2009. Kickoff 12:00

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Moskva (4th) Home 8-2-2 22:10

Moskva jumped into the 4th position after 2 consecutive league victory, this time against CSKA at the Luzhniki stadium. 1-3 triumph also sent Juande Ramos packing, while Miodrag Bojovic kept on marching with his young squad. Right back Nababkin, defensive midfielder Sheshukov and team’s top scorer Martin Jakubko are all back from suspension. Team is at full strength.

After such a smashing game against CSKA some of the substitutes could keep the place in the first line up. This does not concern Strelkov, of course, as Jakubko is a very important figure for Bojovic in attack. Bronimir Vukic is not mobile enough to compete with Zenit’s midfield, so Sheshukov may also come back in the line up. This leaves us with only one questionable position of the right back, where Branislav Ilic will challenge Kirill Nababkin for the start.

Tactic/Mood/Confidence
Moskva will continue to play extremely physical football. A lot shall depend on in-form wingers Samedov and Cesnauskis as virtually every attack is constructed on the flanks.

Last match analysis
Moskva humiliated CSKA in front of their home fans and could have made the score uglier. Second goal was scored through yet another penalty awarded in Bojovic’ men favor – this is the third eleven meter kick in 2 games. 10 minutes earlier Dmitry Tarasov headed in the first of the night and Alexandr Epurianu increased the handicap to three goals later on. After the break Moskva continued to storm down the wings into CSKA’s penalty area, but failed to get anyone on the scoresheet.

Quite many specialists expected Moskva would be limited by the absence of 3 suspended regulars, but once again Bojovic proved all skeptics wrong by showing just how deep his squad is. Branko Ilic took the right back position, Bronimir Vukic was sent into the center of midfield and young Strelkov deputized for Jakubko.

Zenit (3rd) Away 5-4-4 24:16

Zenit has virtually axed itself from the battle for the first place with a stupid 2-2 home draw against Spartak Nalchik. Danny and Meira remain sidelined with injuries. Left midfielder Sczabolcz Huszti is doubtful.Alessandro Rosina was not on the plane to Moscow.

Korean left back Kim Don Jin was once again out of the starting line up. The player is not being risked in competitive football ever since the incident when he lost consciousness in his homeland. Ivican Krizanac had a terrible match against Spartak Nalchik and perhaps will be sent to the bench. Hubocan is the only alternative now that Meira is injured.

Tactic/Mood/Confidence
Anatoly Davydov decided to change the formation which brought team the victory in Krasnodar and played a 4-4-2 scheme in St. Petersburg. This time it will be interesting to see the specialist makes any conclusions based on the earned results. Both Kezman and Tekke looked good, so theoretically can keep their places in the line up in case Zenit play with a 4-4-2 formation. Late news about Rosina's injury means Davydov will stick to the old formation which he used against Spartak N. Igor Semshov will play instead of the italian midfielder.

Last match analysis
St. Petersburg welcomed Spartak Nalchik in the previous round. Vladymir Bystrov scored his 6th goal in 6th match for Zenit since his return to hometown from a “trip” to arch-rivals Spartak Moscow. An early 8th minute goal, and the overall ease of its’ set up promised more for the hosts. But there dreams were slammed just 2 minutes later when Spartak Nalchik equalized with a long range effort.

Fatih Tekke regained the lead for Zenit and St. Petersburg had every reason to expect more of the same in the second half. 14th placed (!) visitors, though, had another view and were awarded for their courage and brave football with an equalizer on the 66th minute.

Zenit’s attacking line had a fine match, exactly the opposite of what defenders produced that day. Rosina, Tekke, Kezman and Bystrov created plenty of danger throughout the match, but all their efforts were put aside by Krizanac and Lombaerts sloppy defending.

Betting advice

Moskva’s victory against CSKA should not be overestimated. They did play a good match, but the opponents were far below their usual quality level. Zenit will be feeling at home in Moscow because of the big number of traveling supporters and this is also a factor, which has to be taken into consideration.

P.S. Regarding my recent downtrend. There are maybe only a few bets,which I consider were actually mis-judged and wrong. But all in all it has been mostly a matter of bad luck.Do notice that I am slightly off form, before making any decisions. Good luck.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Zenit(-0.25) @ 1.81 with Bet365