Lokomotiv Moscow - Dynamo Kyiv
Football: La Manga
Monday, 22nd February 2010. Kickoff 16:00

---

Lokomotiv Moscow

Lokomotiv easily took care of Malmo 2 days ago beating the Norwegian club 2-0.The initial match was scheduled to play against Molde, but their training staff could only field a reserve side due to tough schedule.
Players who were involved in the friendly match had a day off yesterday – concentrating mainly on fitness. Dmitry Sychev and Wagner came back to first team training. Neither of the two shall be risked against Dynamo Kyiv.

With a few exceptions Yury Semin should field the same line up as in the previous fixture vs. Malme. Sychev and Wagner may get around 15 minutes of playing time in the closing stage of the game, however it is unlikely they’ll make a worthy impact. Surprisingly Lokomotiv had veteran Dmitry Sennikov start instead of regular right back Oleg Kuzmin. Nothing has been reported about his injury, so things should be back to normal vs. Dynamo.

Semin is facing his former club, the one he victoriously lead to Ukranian championship before giving the reins to Valery Gazzaev. So quite naturally Lokomotiv’s coach knows Dynamo like his own. Probably the Russian side will try to slow the tempo of the match down and rely on set-pieces to bring amends by the end of the day.

Expected formation and line up :
Lokomotiv (4-2-3-1)
Guilherme
Kuzmin, Basa, Asatiani, Yanbaev
Duimovic,Glushakov
Odemvingie (I),Aliev,Torbinsky
Traore

Dynamo Kyiv

3rd and final training camp for Dynamo Kyiv. They have 2 games in quick succession against Lokomotiv and Zenit respectively. Ukranian champions are not involved in any of the European cups having failed to qualify from Champions’ League group. They are confidently leading in domestic championship though. Evgeniy Khacheridi still has not recovered after a long term injury. Bogush and Ghioane have been training individually. Dynamo won 4 friendlies out of 4 at their previous training camp in Portugal.

Valery Gazzaev has left the 4-3-3 formation behind and has switched to the 4-2-3-1 variant with Vukoevic and Ninkovic holding the defensive midfielder positions. Shevchenko, who’s physical form has been a subject of intensive discussions in Ukraine, is doing quite well in recent exhibition games. Gazzaev’s main innovation is the presentation of Ukranian U-21 striker Kravets on the edge of offensive triangle. Yussuf continues to cover for the absence of Khacheridi alongside Almeida.

Valery Gazzaev is well acquainted with Lokomotiv Moscow and Yury Semin personally since his years at CSKA Moscow. However there are not so many weaknesses which Dynamo can’t exploit. The only significant point may be the physical shape of two teams. Ukranian side is just weeks away from resuming the domestic championship and should have the edge in the fitness department. Thus, in case Dynamo take this game seriously, high pace can bring them eventual success.

Expected formation and line up :
Dynamo Kyiv (4-2-3-1)
Shovkovsky
Eremenko,Yussuf,Almeida,Magrao
Vukoevic,Ninkovic
Shevchenko,Milevsky,Yarmolenko
Kravets

Betting advice

It will be a tough encounter and not something you would refer as “friendly”. Dynamo should have a slight edge, though, due to superior physical shape.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Dynamo Kyiv (0) @ 1.80 with Betsson (main bet)