Rubin Kazan v Lokomotiv Moscow
Football: Russian Premier League. 1st matchday
Sunday, 14th March 2010. Kickoff 12:00

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Rubin Kazan

Rubin has already marked the new season with a trophy. In the SuperCup final current Premier League champions upset CSKA 1-0 to lift the cup for the first time in club’s history.

A few days later Rubin hosted Wolfsburg in the first leg of Europa League last 16 round. Being short of captain Semak, left winger Ryazantsev, central defender Roman Sharonov and right back Kaleshin Russian champions failed to clinch a victory. 1-1 draw makes Wolfsburg favorites before the return fixture in Germany.

Kurban Berdyev has more room for movement on Sunday. Newcomers: striker Fatih Tekke (Zenit), midfielder Natkho (Maccabi T-A) and center back Jordi (Celta Vigo) have all been included in the roster.

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

Unavailable
cd. R.Sharonov (regular),
mid. A.Ryazantsev (important),
rb. V.Kaleshin (regular),
mid. P.Bystrov (supporting)

Lokomotiv Moscow

Lokomotiv Moscow is one of favorites for the title. Railway-Boys are entering the season with experienced Yury Semin in charge and arguably the strongest squad in the Premier League. After failing to rescue Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham, Loko signed Brazilian starlet Maicon Marques to boost the offensive potential.

The midfield line is full of quality with Aliev (Dynamo Kyiv) and Tarasov (FC Moskva) giving Semin a handful of options. Defense is solid and at the same time very supportive with Basa, Rodolfo and Asatiani competing for the center; Yanbaev and Kuzmin monitoring the wings.

Yury Semin can’t count on Brazilians Wagner and Rodolfo, who should be both back to action in May. Forward Dmitry Sychev has recently been given the captain armband and should line up alongside Peter Odemvingie in attack.

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

Unavailable
mid. Wagner(regular/supporting),
mid. D. Torbinsky (regular),
cd. Rodolfo (regular);

Betting advice

Not the most obvious of choices here, but I expect fatigue to get the better of Rubin on Sunday. We've already seen how Kazan virtually stopped moving since the 60th minute of the match against Wolfsburg; and the second half in the Supercup vs. CSKA was also a seemingly tough experience for the team.

Public opinion in Russia is leaning towards Rubin due to their earlier start to the season and, expectedly, better form. Somehow I disagree with these agruments - Lokomotiv has enough quality to at least seal a draw or maybe get away with a straight victory.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Lokomotiv Moscow (+0.25) @ 1.95 with Bet365