Dynamo.Moscow v Lokomotiv.Moscow
Football: Russian Premier League 2009/2010
Saturday, 21st November 2009. Kickoff 12:00

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Terek(11th) HOME 7-3-4 25:19

Terek plays its’ last home match of the season. For a typically domestic team it is the perfect opportunity to give fans something to cheer about after a streak of 4 consecutive losses. Moreover Terek is without a scored goal for 3 games now. Erik Haimovic and Alexandr Iliev are back to the back line. Brazilian Cleber is suspended, Blagoy Georgiev, Daniel Pancu and Florentin Peter are all unavailable because of flu virus picked on international duty.

It’s been reported Terek will use a lot of reserve players in the remaining two rounds of the championship. Not only it is a forced measure due to the absence of 5 regulars, but also is a sort of an experiment. Many unknown youth products are tipped to start.

Tactic/Mood/Confidence
Terek is an extremely offensive orientated team on home turf, especially against minor opponents. Despite being in a visible downtrend lately, Chechen club still has an established style of play. Kuban’s pathetic situation will force them to open up and go for the win, which would be a dream scenario for Terek.

Home side should certainly be fired up by the occasion and the recent downtrend of form.

Last match analysis Zenit-Terek 2-0
Home side put the visitors under immense pressure right from the start in an attempt to secure the positive result as early as possible. Terek’s resistance lasted for 25 minutes until Fatik Tekke scored yet another goal in what is turning out to be an autumn of renaissance for the Turkish international striker. 13 minutes later his shot was eventually turned into an own net by Brazilian defender Cleber.

The second half had a dull outlook mostly due to Terek’s unwillingness to march forward. Zenit controlled the ball trying to set someone for a 100% finish. Eventually Mateja Kezman saw his goal cancelled due to an offside decision and the bar stepped in to help Dickan’ out.

Terek’s was unusually shy and indecisive in St. Petersburg defending in numbers throughout the match despite the 2 goal deficit. Bulgarian defender Iliev had to limp-off on the 18th minute. Shamil’ Lakhiyalov was the only figure up front for the visitors but without any support from team mates. Daniel Pancu came on in the second half only to vanish on the pitch.

Kuban (15th) AWAY 0-3-11 9:36

Kuban’ failed to come closer to the life-saving 14th spot after a home 3-3 draw against Moskva saw the cut a 5 point handicap from Spartak Nalchik to 4. Bayriev comes back from suspension, while center back Dzhioev head in the opposite directon.

Kuban’ coaching department made a goalkeeper change in the previous match. Bogdan Kariukin deputized for his colleague Stepanov. Despite 3 conceded goals he was one of the best players on the pitch for the hosts, so we should expect more of the same in Grozny. Dzhioev’s absence is a bitter blow to the defensive line – Francisko Zuela should fill in, only in case of a positive fitness test.

Tactic/Mood/Confidence
Kuban’ has a purely dreadful away record. Just 3 earned points are worsened by the shameful 9-36 goal record. Under current circumstances visitors have no other option but to go forward from the start. Hardly Kuban will rely on the back line or offer defensive football at some part of the match.

The 3-3 draw has proved many skeptics wrong about Kuban’s attitude. Players refuse to accept the relegation and will be fighting until even theoretical chances are lost.

Last match analysis Kuban-Moskva 3-3
Moskva should and could have scored at least 4 goals in the opening half but were too reckless in the closing stages of attacks. Occasionally it seemed as if visitors simply had more players on the pitch. Immense advantage started to convert into goals at the half hour mark when Rebko and then Jakubko put Moskva in front.

The second half display from Kuban left absolutely everybody stranded. Dzhioev and Traore brought hosts back into the match. A horrible misjudgment from Yury Zhevnov who ran out to prevent a one-on-one situation lead to a third goal from Draman. Alexey Rebko equalized for the hosts on the 87th minute and Martin Jakubko could become the hero for Moskva, only to see the bar get this status for Kuban.

Kuban’ showed remarkable efficiency to convert 75% of created opportunities. Virtually everybody including home supporters already gave up any hopes of surviving in the Premier League, but the players stood up and produced one of the most exciting thrillers of the season.

Frankly speaking, it would have not been possible if it wasn’t for the 0-2 lead and Moskva’s short term loss of concentration. Okoduva and Babangida enjoyed a modest performance and were logically substituted for Shevchenko and Skverniuk right after the first half.

Betting advice

A quite unpredictable game in prospect. I had Terek as clear favorites here before the news about injuries came out today. If hosts are intending to experiment I would suggest to stay away from H2H betting, or keep stakes low on the home side.

Should the game be played in fair manner - Terek has to come out on top. The best option would to go for the over here. Terek is without a goal for some time now, while Kuban' has been conceding loads on the road.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Over 2.5 @ 1.85 with NordicBet

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Terek (0) @ 1.53 with Bet365