CSKA Moscow v Amkar Perm
Football: Russian Premier League. 1st matchday
Friday, 12th March 2010. Kickoff 17:00

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CSKA Moscow

CSKA starts the new season at a new stadium. Gigantic Luzhniki have been changed to Arena Khimki in the Moscow suburbs. So CSKA’s home games will be played at a natural pitch from now on.

Army-men lost the Super Cup final to Rubin on Sunday failing to overturn the 1 goal deficit. Igor Akinfeev made a horrible mistake and his miskicked shot perfectly set up Alexandr Bukharov for the only goal in the game. Immense pressure of the second half was mostly due to Rubin’s decision to sit back and keep the lead.

CSKA never came really close to equalizing and can only regret the missed opportunities by Krasic and dangerously taken Honda’s free-kicks.

On the verge of decisive trip to Sevilla Leonid Slutsky has the right to rotate the starting 11. However it is unlikely that the young specialist will take anything for granted in the first round of the Premier League.

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

Doubtful
E. Aldonin

Amkar Perm

Amkar Perm’ was on the edge of relegation last season and jumped off the train to nowhere right at the death. Rashid Rahimov came back to his native club and lead them out of a very dangerous situation.

Former Lokomotiv Moscow head coach signed a contract with the board of directors linking himself to the Siberian side for at least one more season.

Amkar was quiet on the transfer market mostly due to the limited financing. Their star-man Montenegrin international Nikola Drincic has joined giants Spartak Moscow on a free transfer.

As far as additions are concerned – most notable ones are the return of Alexey Popov from Rubin Kazan and capture of croatian U-21 Knezevic.

Looks like defense will once again be the key to Amkar’s success in the upcoming season. Offensive units, at leas on paper, leave a controversial impression due to the age-factor. Target-man Martin Kushev is 34.

Expected formation and line up :
Amkar Perm (4-4-2)
Narubin
Sirakov, Belorukov, Popov, Fedoriv
Peev, Pomerko, Novakovic, Knezevic
Volkov, Kushev

Betting advice

I'd expect CSKA to preserve some energy here before the decisive match in Sevilla. We could see a couple of changes in the line up, too, but not too significant ones.

Early games in Russia are traditionally low scoring, so a shot at under 2.5 goals is worth a try. Amkar is solid enough to resist the pressure, while CSKA has managed to score just once in the first 2 official games of the season.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Under 2.5 goals @ 1.66 with Bet365