Russia-Slovenia
Football: World Cup 2010 Play-offs, 1st leg
Saturday,14th November 2009. Kickoff 17:00

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Russia

Russian national team will be looking to form a reasonable goal advantage in the first leg of the WC play-offs at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow. A full house of 80 000 spectators is expected to support Hiddink’s men.

Russians have no serious injury concerns except for left back Yury Zhirkov who has been continually suffering from various injuries since joining Chelsea in summer. Artificial at the Luzhniki stadium must have worsened the situation with his knee-caps and it is very unlikely Zhirkov will make the starting line up on Saturday.

Hiddink is expected to opt for a 4-3-3 formation which he used against Germany a month ago. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Renat Yanbaev and even Alexey Berezutskiy are candidates to fill the problematic left back position.

Elsewhere everything should remain invariable: Semshov, Denisov and Ziryanov will form the midfield line, while Bystrov, Arshavin will support lone striker Kerzhakov in attack.

Dynamo front man still remains the top candidate up front as Pavlyuchenko has been warming the bench alongside Harry Redknapp and Pavel Pogrebnyak is usually used in the end of the game.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s form and recently expressed unwillingness to play on the flank of defense- may force Hiddink to reconsider the game plan and field a 4-4-1-1 formation. In this case Everton skipper will be able to take the usual left midfielder position and provide further cover for inconsistent Yanbaev.

Russians will hope to regain the finishing touch in attack as this has been the main reason for their loss to Germany in October. Creating chances is not an issue with the likes of Arshavin and Bystrov in the line up, but conversion is what causing the head ache. Slovenia may well be not the most comfortable of opponents if we take their impressive defensive record into consideration.

Expected formation and line up

Russia (4-3-3) or (4-4-1-1)
Akinfeev
Anyukov, V. Berezutskiy, Ignashevich, Yanbaev/A.Berezutskiy
Ziryanov, Semshov, Denisov
Arshavin , Kerzhakov, Bystrov

Bench: Malafeev, A. Berezutskiy, Dzagoev, Pogrebnyak, Semak, Pavlyuchenko, Zhirkov, Sychev

Unavailable: def. Y. Zhirkov - doubtful

Head coach: G. Hiddink

Slovenia

Visitors will be recalling the 2-1 victory in Maribor 8 years ago, which earned them a trip to the World Cup in Japan’2002. Slovenia qualified for the play offs mostly as a result of concourse of circumstances. Poland and Czech Republic are all going through the change of generations, while Northern Ireland and Slovakia were obviously a lucky draw.

Just like his counter-part Matjas Kek is going into the match with only one injury concern – defender Matej Mavric from TuS Koblenz. Decision about his participation will be made on Saturday.

Slovenia will start with the traditional 4-4-2 formation with main star-man Samir Handanovic (Udinese) taking his place between the sticks. Main hopes for the visitors will certainly be connected with their goalkeeper.

Mitar Novakovic (Cologne) and Robert Koren (WBA) shall be responsible for the creative department. Another man to watch is striker Valter Birsa, who is usually used on the flank of midfield by Kek.

Slovenia will naturally concentrate on keeping a clean sheet a task which doesn’t seem impossible if we look at the defensive record during their group campaign.

Just 4 conceded goals came as a surprise even for the local public back in Slovenia. Back line never was the strongest of weapons, but stability of the line up over the last years has given current profits.

Expected formation and line up

Slovenia (4-4-2)
Handanovic
Brecko/Ilic, Suler, Cesar, Jokic
Birsa, Radoslavlevic, Koren , Kirm
Dedic, Novakovic

Bench: Krhin, Ljubijankic, Pechnik, Seliga, Zlogar, Stevanovic,

Unavailable: def. M. Mavric

Allenatore: M. Kek

Betting advice

Taking into consideration Russia's recent incapability to convert goalscoring opportunities - wisest bet would be to go with the hp on Slovenians.

The Statistics :

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Slovenia (+1.25) @ 1.975 with Bet365