Hungary-Russia
Football: International Friendly in Dyor
Wednesday, 3rd of March 2010. Kickoff 18:30

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Hungary

I'll be honest here - I know almost nothing about Hungarian national team. What I do know is that it has some individually strong players, who are worth mentioning. First of all - it's PSV's pacy winger Dzsudzsak. Unfortunately he is out of today's clash after suffering an injury during recent match at the week-end.

Then at the back there is Anderlecht's defender Juhasz and solid Sunderland's keeper Martin Fulop. The guy who caught public attention with a couple of Champions' League goals and a very christmas-like name - Rudolf - is also part of the Hungarian squad. And last but not least - left midfielder Huszti of Zenit St. Petersburg.

Hungary enjoyed a positive start to their WC campaign, but then failed to keep up with the leaders of the group: Portugal,Denmark and Sweden. Erwin Koeman is the coach and the match itself will be held at a brand new stadium in Dyor. This means there should be some healthy enthusiasm around the game.

Possible formation and line up :
Hungary (4-2-3-1)
Fulop
Bodnar,Gyepes,Juhasz,Vanczak
Toth,Vadocz
Buzsaky,Varga,Huszti
Torghelle

Russia

First of all, this is going to be Gus Hiddink’s last match in charge of the Russian national team. The Dutch specialist, as you may know, has signed a contract with the Turkish Football Federation and will arrive at the office on the 1st of August.

This makes the upcoming friendly against Hungary absolutely useless in terms of preparation for the Euro 2012 qualifiers. It has already sparked a wave of criticism towards the new president of Russian Football Federation for not appointing a new coach instead of Hiddink and wasting valuable time.

Gus has not called any new names to the squad saying, that he does not want to influence his “successor’s choice”. Whatever that was supposed to mean. Anyway, Yury Zhirkov is unavailable due to injury. Alexandr Kerzhakov is also not in the squad, whereas Andrey Arshavin should decide himself if he is fit enough to start in Hungary.

Possible formation and line up :
Russia (4-4-1-1)
Akinfeev
Anyukov,V.Berezutsky,Ignashevich,Bilyaletdinov
Denisov,Semshov,Zyrianov,Semak
Arshavin
Pavlyuchenko

Betting advice

If you decide to follow my advice on this one, please, keep your stakes low as I honestly have never seen Hungary in action. This makes the bet rather one sided, as you understand, and very subjective. I expect to see a very de-motivated Russian side on Wednesday.

Firstly due to Hiddink’s last match in charge – naturally no sense in giving your best for the sake of a future call-up;

Secondly due to the uncertain atmosphere inside the team following the shameful loss to Slovenia – this is the first time players gather around and see Gus;

And finally - because the team shall be very much disbalanced physically. We have Pavlyuchenko and Bilyaletdinov who are right in the middle of the season; on the other side there are guys from CSKA and Rubin who are at an absolutely another level of readiness; Zenit’s, Lokomotiv’s, Dynamo’s ambassadors have not even played a competitive match so far.

As a result, I truly believe that Hungary “not to lose” and a small shot at under 2.5 goals are reasonable bets here. Make your own conclusions from what I have stated here.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Under 2.5 @ 1.70 with Bet365

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Hungary(+0.5) @ 1.65 with Bet365