FK Rubin Kazan v FC Barcelona
Football: Europe, UEFA Champions League 2009/2010
Wednesday, 4th November 2009 - Kickoff 17:30

---

Barcelona will be eager to revenge their defeat at the hands of Rubin Kazan a fortnight ago in the Nou Camp. It is one of the most shocking results the Nou Camp have seen in years.

Group F seems to be one of the toughest groups in the Champions League this season as only one point separates all four teams and three teams are level with four points.

Barcelona was rated favourites to win the group from the start are still favourites to me at this moment while Rubin Kazan was the underdogs from the start are still the underdogs at this moment although Rubin Kazan have put in a couple of decent results.

Barcelona (Spain)

Barcelona was disappointed not to claim all three points at the weekend as Gerard Pique scored an unlucky own goal. Guardiola is not worried about the threat Rubin can cause but he is more worried on the playing surface. As Barcelona loves to play high tempo game with short passes, the playing surface might just be the factor where the game is won and lost.

Having said that Guardiola’s main concern is the playing surface, he will certainly tell his players not to take Rubin easily as Rubin has already defeated them a fortnight ago. Pep Guardiola selected his strongest 19 man squad to travel to Russia which includes Dani Alves and the only senior players missing are Dmytro Chygrynskiy and Gabriel Milito.

Guardiola is likely to start with his preferred 4-3-3 formation. Victor Valdes will start in goal protected by Dani Alves, Pique, Puyol and Abidal or Marquez. In midfield, Seydou Keita will partner Xavi and Iniesta in midfield to form a dynamic 3 man midfield while Lional Messi, Ibrahimovic and Henry are likely to start up front.

Keita has been in superb form lately scoring four goals in his last 2 games. With Henry rested at the weekend’s game, the Frenchman should be fully fit and ready for this game. Andres Iniesta who played a forward position at the weekend will drop back into midfield to compete against a very hardworking Rubin side.

Rubin Kazan (Russia)

Rubin Kazan are currently leading their domestic League by one point with three games to go. With the Russian season at its final weeks, Kazan will definitely have half the eye at this weekend’s game. No doubt the Champions League is a prestigious competition and Rubin Kazan will play its best but the players themselves would definitely have set a priority and that is most likely the domestic league.

Rubin Kazan are likely to stick to the same line-up that defeated Barcelona two weeks ago. Berdyev is likely to start with a 5-4-1 formation with Sergio Ryzhikov in goal protected by Salukvadze, Roman Sharonoc, Cesar and Cristian Ansaldi. Noboa, Gokdeniz and Semak will start in central midfield leaving Ryazantsev and Kaleshin or Macbeth Sibaya out in the flanks. Alex Dominguez will lead the lines as a line striker.

Looking at both line-ups and from the way both these side play a fortnight ago, Rubin Kazan will put 10 men behind the ball leaving Dominguez up front. With Guardiola aware of the threat that Rubin Kazan can pose, he is likely to make sure his defence do not play to high up the pitch or committing to many players forward at a single time.

The Betting Verdict

The key to this game would definitely be the movement and passes of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi. Having mentioned earlier, Barcelona loves to play the quick and high tempo game therefore the condition of the pitch is crucial.

However, with the amount of quality in this Barcelona team, the pitch surface should not be the factor that stops them from winning.

With Barcelona already aware of Rubin Kazan’s hardworking team work, the qualities of Lional Messi and Henry are likely to expose the weakness of this Rubin Kazan which is man marking!

The Statistics :

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Barcelona to win the game as your main bet!