CSKA Moscow v Rubin Kazan
Football: Russian Super Cup Final
Sunday, 7th February 2010. Kickoff 12:00

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CSKA Moscow

CSKA is set to start the new season with a win in the Russian Super Cup just like they did a year ago and hope to set the right tone for the entire year.

10 days ago “Horses” officially kicked-off their 2010 campaign with a Champions League game against Sevilla. Spanish visitors secured a promising 1-1 draw, but never looked anything better than the hosts. CSKA once again showed their fighting spirit under Leonid Slutsky and equalized after trailing to a first time goal from Alvaro Negredo. Although Mark Gonzalez shot was a spontaneous effort – Army men controlled proceedings after leveling the score.

Influential fantasista Alan Dzagoev has been cleared to feature in the game, but faces a real challenge for a place in the starting line up as new-boy Keisuke Honda’s form can’t allow Slutsky to drop the Asian star to the bench. Under this circumstances Evgeniy Aldonin’s injury represents a real opportunity to move Honda lower down the field. Leonid Slutsky has no other concerns before the start of the game, which actually his first (and perhaps – last) chance to win a trophy with CSKA.

Expected formation and line up :
CSKA Moscow (4-2-3-1)
Akinfeev
Nababkin, Ignashevich, V.Berezutsky, Schennikov
Mamaev, Honda
Krasic, Dzagoev, Gonzalez
Necid

Doubtful
E.Aldonin

Rubin Kazan

Rubin has played a match more than their today’s opponents. The two leg affair with Hapoel Tel-Aviv in the Europa League 1/32 finals finished 0:3 on aggregate in Russian side’s favor. Rubin settled all matters in the first game in Kazan where -15 degrease cold shell-shocked the visitors and helped hosts prevail by 3 goals to nil. The return match in Tel-Aviv was just a formality, but yet again the weather had its’ effect on the outcome with pouring rain flooding the pitch.

Rubin has bigger problems to deal with in terms of injured players. Vital center back Roman Sharonov will be out of action for 6 months, so Cesar Navas should be accompanied by either Lasha Salukvadze or newcomer Jordi (from Celta Vigo) through the early stages of the season. Winger Alexandr Ryazantsev faces a late fitness test to be included in the starting eleven. However Alan Kasaev did quite well substituting his team-mate in both games against Hapoel.

Expected formation and line up :
Rubin Kazan (4-2-3-1)
Ryzhikov
Kaleshin, Salukvadze, Navas, Ansaldi
Noboa, Murawski
Karadeniz, Semak, Kasaev
Bukharov

Unavailable
R.Sharonov

Doubtful
A.Ryazantsev

Betting advice

Honestly I was surprised to see the Asian market offer the level-ball handicap on this one.

Sure, Rubin are current Russian champions and all, but the departure of Chori Dominguez (player of the season in the Premier League) is so immense, in my opinion, that offensively the team should become too straight forward and predictable. Kazan has pace down the flanks with Kasaev and Gokdeniz, but CSKA has an adequate answer there.

Whereas for CSKA - their offense and midfield are arguably the best in Russia at the moment. The center of defense is undoubtedly their weakest point, but attacking potential compensates it.

The match is held at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, so the ground is not neutral as it usually is the case in most European championships.

By all means CSKA with level-ball handicap is a very safe bet indeed here.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take CSKA (0) @ 1.675 with Bet365