Sibir Novosibirsk v Terek Grozny
Football: Russian Premier League. 1st matchday
Sunday, 14th March 2010. Kickoff 09:30

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Sibir Novosibirsk

Sibir came through the First Division ranks to surprisingly get the 2nd Premier League ticket behind Anzhi Mahachkala. Club’s board of directors did not set the task of reaching promotion to the Russian top flight, but when the Siberian outfit found itself in the perfect position to change the course – a new goal was set and quickly achieved.

Last year Sibir became the most invincible home side in the First Division having conceded just 3 goals and remaining undefeated at the artificial pitch of Spartak Stadium. The turf was heavily criticized in press, by the way, for its’ hardness. On one hand it gives Sibir a certain advantage over the visiting sides, but at the same time hurts their attacking potential as well.

Sibir has not lost any of their main fundamental players in midseason except for the goalkeeper Chepchugov (CSKA Moscow). Amongst notable transfers: goalkeeper Kowalewski and striker Antipenko.

Expected formation and line up :
Sibir Novosibirsk (4-4-2)
Kowalewski
Aravin, Bukhriakov, Vihodil, Molosh
Cizek,Shulenin,Makarenko,Astafyev
Bliznyuk,Medvedev

Unavailable
mid. E. Zinovyev (important),cd. M. Gorak (supporting);

Terek Grozny

Chechen club is entering the season with a new coach and strongly revised squad. Anatoly Baidachny is the figure in charge at Terek and the experienced Belorussian specialist has made 5 additions to the starting line up. 3 players were captured from Spartak Nalchik: defenders Yatchenko and Ferreira, striker Asildarov; brazilian midfielder Mauricio and bolivian international Arce. Arrival of Shamil Asildarov, who virtually single-handedly saved Spartak Nalchik from relegation last season, makes the offensive line arguably Terek’s strongest department.

Southern outfit is notoriously poor on the road, traditionally putting much at stake in home games. Being a very political project it never puts up any serious tasks for the season. Such is the case now with directors proclaiming vague goals of “fighting for the win in every match”. At the same time such policy makes Terek always entertaining to watch.

Expected formation and line up :
Terek Grozny (4-4-2)
Dikan
Utciev,Ferreira,Omelyanchuk,Yatchenko
Mauricio,Djabrailov,Essame,Georgiev
Asildarov,Bracamonte

Unavailable
str. S. Lakhiyalov (key);

Betting advice

I would give obvious advantage to the home side who are more familiar with the hard artificial pitch in Novosibirsk and severe weather conditions. Terek has some entertaining people upfront, but in general the team has been seriously changed in midseason and it will take some time for the new players to glue together.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Sibir (0) @ 1.78 with Bet365