Lokomotiv Moscow v Krylia Sovetov Samara
Football: Russian Premier League. 2nd matchday
Saturday, 20th March 2010. Kickoff 17:00

---

Lokomotiv Moscow

Lokomotiv had a tough start to the season on the first matchday as they were drawn to play reining title-holders Rubin in Kazan. In a very close physical contest the hosts eventually pulled off a last-gasp 2-0 victory with both goals scored during the last 3 minutes of the game. The match was seriously affected by the horrible condition of the pitch, if it can be called so, in Kazan.

Now the Railway Boys are ready to stage their first home game of the season in front of faithful fans. Lokomotiv became the strongest home side of the previous season remaining undefeated at the Cherkizovo stadium. Yury Semin certainly will hope to take this form into the new campaign.

Loko has some issues to solve at the back as center back Rodolfo is out together with his Montenegrin colleague Basa. Their understudies Asatiani and especially veteran Sennikov did not look all too reliable in Kazan, and if it wasn’t for the horrendous pitch – Rubin would’ve given these two far more problems. Amongst the positive news is the return of Dmitry Torbinsky from suspension. In the match where Lokomotiv should have about 65% of the ball, Yury Semin simply must opt for a more offensive formation then the one used in Kazan.

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

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

Krylia Sovetov

The artificially reanimated club is still in deep coma. The southern club, which reportedly has a more than 20 million $ debt, is struggling for life in the Premier League while their further tournament perspectives are vague. The end of the transfer window has been further delayed up to the 8th of April only in order to give a helping hand to the sinking Krylia. However despite the charity-like initiatives, the club is in no hurry to sign add new players to the roster or have other problems solved.

Under these circumstances,one can imagine, that the opening matchday 0-1 loss to Zenit in Samara was treated as true heroism by the home supporters. Krylia kept 9 players in their half for around 60 minutes of the game, but as soon as they tried to push forward – visitors had punished them on the fast break.

Krylia Sovetov had 6 players from the first team preparing for the match yesterday. Others should be included from the reserve-side, who had just finished their fixture on Friday against Lokomotiv B-team.

Expected formation and line up :
Krylia Sovetov (4-5-1)
Lobos
Bober,Belozerov,Hramov,Budylin
Tkachev,Adzhindzhal,Tsallagov,Leilton,Budanov
Savin

Unavailable
mid. O. Ivanov (regular)
def. I. Taranov (regular)

Betting advice

There are no serious doubts, that Lokomotiv will get their first three points of the season. I expect Krylia Sovetov to have a less concentrated match in Moscow then they had in Samara. Being supported by the home crowd during such rough times gives you the emotions to compete, whereas here at the Cherkizovo stadium the team will be on its’ own against the battle against current problems and an extremely motivated Lokomotiv side.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Lokomotiv Moscow (-1.50) @ 1.90 with Bet365