Rubin Kazan - Zenit St.Petersburg
Football : Russian : Premier League
Saturday, 20th November 2010. Kickoff 12:00 CET

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CSKA Moscow

Rubin enters seasons decisive week. It will determine if the team will qualify directly to next years Champions League group stage (provided they finish 2nd in Russia) and if the team gets into the Spring stage of any UEFA competition: Europa League or Champions League. Kurban Berdyev has only the injury of Carlos Eduardo to deal with.

Rubin showed signs of improvement in the 2-2 draw against Dynamo. The team finally scored from gameplay and not from a dead ball situation. Kurban Berdyev should’ve made certain conclusions following the first half performance in that match, though.

Left back Christian Ansaldi is obviously out of form at the moment and has to be omitted from the starting 11. Kuzmin, Bochetti, Navas, Kaleshin is the perfect composition of back line for Rubin at this stage of the season.

There are many options up front which can’n not be foreseen. Kornilenko certainly looks as the number one striker for Rubin now. Belarusian even asked Bernd Stange not to call him to the Wednesday’s friendly Oman-Belarus.

Zenit St.Petersburg

Zenit have become Russian champions a week ago and can now deservedly relax. Luciano Spalletti took just 16 players to Kazan but unexpectedly Danny and Kerzhakov made the squad. Zhevnov, Anyukov, Bystrov, Denisov, Bukharov and Semak are just a few names on the long list of rested players.

It has already been revealed by Spalletti that 3rd choice goalkeeper Dmitry Borodin will start the match tomorrow. Bukharov and Semak are ineligible to play against there former parent club due to a clause during the transfers. Although Alexander Kerzhakov and Danny travelled with teammates to Kazan, I don't think they will be included in the starting line up.

Another debutant can feature on the right flank of defense. As all three players who used to cover this position, Anyuakov, Hubocan and Semak, are unavailable Spalletti decided to take 19 year old Dudiev.

Reportedly Anyukov, Bystrov and Denisov partied so much after the championship title that Russian national team manager dropped them out of the squad for the friendly against Belgium and now Spalletti followed Belgian’s example.

Betting advice

This is another game where we can expect to see some goals. Since Zenit is absolutely relaxed and carefree and Rubin is in a must-win situation – there will be no place for compromises.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Over 2.50 goals @ 1.87 with Bet365 (main bet)

Consider Zenit not to lose @ 2.50 with Bet365