Rubin - Barcelona
Football: Champions League 2009/2010
Wednesday, 4th Novermber 2009. Kickoff 18:30

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Rubin

Rubin is at full strength before the visit of wounded Barcelona. Macbeth Sibaya has served his suspension and is back to the squad. Russian champions will attempt to upset Barcelona once again when they welcome Spanish giants in freezy conditions in Kazan. Hosts have a full squad available.

The time is right for Kurban Berdyev to have all his players back from injuries and suspensions. Sergey Semak will add the necessary experience to the line up. Expected snowfall may serve as an extra advantage for the hosts, who are naturally more adjusted to the severe Russian winter. On the domestic front things are going positively for Rubin as they are keeping the 1 points handicap over 2nd placed Spartak Moscow.

Kurban Berdyev perfectly understands that in order to repeat the result of the match at Nou Camp his team would need a miracle. But usually those come once in a life time. Rubin were indeed extremely fortunate in the first match and converted 110% of created chances. Same efficiency will be required, if Russian champions want to produce another stunner on Wednesday evening.

Expect to see the “Camp Nou” approach from Rubin. Only notable improvement is Bukharov’s presence. Rubin’s top scorer shall add more variety to their set-pieces.

Barcelona

Barcelona were robbed of victory at the Reyno de Navarra on Saturday thanks to a second half stoppage time own goal by Gerard Pique. The 1-1 draw and two dropped points saw Barcelona's lead at the top of La Liga reduced to just one point. They were beaten by Rubin Kazan at home in the last round of Champions League matches and these two disappointments show up as blips on their form sheet of the last five matches: DLWWD.

Barca are still top of Group F but only one point seperates all four teams in the classification. They need a win to keep their advantage and, with difficult games against Dynamo Kiev and Inter Milan to come, it is really important for them to show their class.

Defensive duo Gabriel Milito - who is injured - and Dimitriy Chygrynskiy - who is cup tied - are unavailable and have not travelled to Russia. Dani Alves, however, who was not supposed to return for another week, was on the plane and he could return to the back four to allow Carlos Puyol to shift over to centre back to partner Gerard Pique, with Maxwell or, more likely, Eric Abidal at left back.

Thierry Henry was given the all-clear last week but was confined to the bench against Osasuna and he will be hoping for a place in the forward line with Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. If he plays, Andres Iniesta will drop back to midfield alongside Seydou Keita and Xavi at the expense of Sergi Busquets. How the Spaniards adjust to the freezing Russian conditions could be crucial to the outcome of this tie.

Betting advice

I have been more than once too subjective with Rubin’ chances and conditions in the Champions' League. Every time they proved me wrong in my estimations.

So I will be short here. Tell me a team, which would be able to beat Barcelona twice in a matter of two weeks?

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Barcelona (-1) @ 1.97 with Bet365