Rubin Kazan - Spartak Moscow
Football: Russian Premier League
Monday, 8th November 2010. Kickoff 17:00 CET

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Rubin Kazan

After 26 played games Rubin is tied on 54 points with CSKA Moscow. The battle for 2nd place promises to be one of the main highlights in the latter stages of Russian season. If Rubin’s pragmatic football is profitable on domestic front than the Champions League campaign has been failed. Disappointing 0-0 home draw against Panathinaikos means the qualification for play off stage is no longer possible. Rubin’s injury list is empty before tomorrow’s big game.

In general Rubin’s game is received with hugely negative reviews. Witnessing there anti-football is causing a gagging reflex. It is clear as a day Rubin has not coped with departures of Alejandro Dominguez and Alexander Bukharov.

Rubin have problems breaking up defensive minded and well organized teams, they miss ideas while building attacks and above all they don’t have the person in attack to get goals on regular basis. Defensively they’re still a mighty force and it is the main reason behind their long unbeaten run (starting from July 2010).

In the meantime Rubin is struggling heavily in the center of midfield where Noboa/Natho tandem is making a very high percentage of unforced errors. Most of team’s attacks end up in there zone.

Spartak Moscow

Spartak was given another lesson of football by Chelsea, this time in the 2nd leg of their h2h encounter at Stamford Bridge. Russian club suffered a 1-4 defeat but looked quite positive through out the match.

Game against Rubin is Spartak,s last chance to get back in contention for a Champions League spot. So only 3 points will do for Karpin’s men while the draw perfectly comforts Berdyev,s 11. Regular center back Suchy and left back Makeev return from suspension while the injury list features Parshivlyuk, Ari and Kirill Kombarov.

Karpin will not experiment in such an important match although Drincic’s return to full fitness offers Spartak’s manager options in the midfield zone. Regular defenders Suchy and Makeev both missed the previous match against Rostov, which ended 2-1 courtesy of McGeady stoppage time penalty kick winner.

Makeev is ready to cover the right side of defense with Suchy reuniting with Argentinean Pareja. Attacking quartet will remain as it has been in previous 2 fixtures.

Betting advice

Spartak has no alternatives but press forward in search of 3 points.

They showed high self-confidence at Stamford Bridge, much higher than I personally anticipated to have seen. Thus I expect visitors to have around 55/60 % of the ball and press forward.

Spartak has already written themselves in the books by handing Zenit its first defeat of the season. Karpin's team has what it takes to end Rubin's unbeaten run too.

There should not be many goals firstly because the draw suits Rubin more than Spartak. Secondly Berdyev's defensive approach couldn't get revolutionized in a matter of 4 days.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Over 2.50 goals @ 1.70 with Bet365

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Spartak Moscow (+0.5) @ 1.90 with Bet365