Russian League
2010-11-28 - Dynamo Moscow vs Spartak Moscow
A Sports Betting Pick by Pantocrator
Football : Russian : Premier League
Sunday, 28th November 2010. Kickoff 12:00 CET
Dynamo Moscow
Dynamo Moscow fans must be satisfied about their team having a derby match on the last day of the season. It is a guarantee to see the players show full commitment tomorrow, even though all tournament motivation is long gone. Bojovic has a number of serious defensive woes to deal with as he is set to miss regular center backs Kolodin and Fernandez through injury, important right back Wilkshere and left winger Cesnauskis due to suspension.
The right flank of defense will be entrusted to Polish internation Marcin Kowalcik, He used to be a regular for Dynamo Moscow a year ago, but has spent all of this season's games at the bench. Granat will be transferred from the left wing into the central zone with Serbian Lomic stepping team-mates position.
Either Duimovic or Ropotan will be sacrificed to the bench because of the limit on internationals. I presume Ropotan will be chosen by Duimovic to be replaced by Dynamo's veteran Dmitry Khokhlov. Andrey Voronin missed the previous fixture against Krylia Sovetv, but I expect to see him back in the line up tomorrow. In worst case Kokorin will start on the left wing.
Spartak Moscow
Valery Karpin and his version of Spartak Moscow have screwed up this season. It was officially approved by the 0-3 humiliation on Wednesday by Marseille. The bitter defeat put an end to Spartak's champions league campaign, worsened the hysteria surrounding team's present condition and put Karpin's future at the club in serious doubt. Red-Whites will miss regular defender Nico Pareja, but can welcome back key midfielder Alex and regular striker Ari as they look to bounce back from a horrible week.
Spartak Moscow is in all sorts of troubles now from psychological to physical. The team fell apart in the big derby against CSKA, and then they performed the same trick 3 days later against Marseille. It is difficult to determine if the low level of confidence is a straight result of poor physical condition.
Nevertheless Spartak's recent trend is easy to spot: the team is capable of playing just 1 half at medium level and suffers after the interval. There are mixed views, naturally, about the situation in team's camp. I personally think that there is nothing outrageous in straight losses to CSKA and Marseille. It shows true level of Spartak Moscow, for some people it is just too hard to accept that.
Suspended Nico Pareja will be replaced by Martin Stranzl. The right flank shall be again covered by Makeev, while the injured Ivanov should be substituted by inexperienced youngster Khodyrev. Either Alex or Ari will start behind Welliton. Both are off-form following short-term injuries.
Betting advice
All the ill drama surrounding Spartak's elimination from Champions League is not doing anything good for the team's spirit.
With Alex just fresh off the injury, Welliton subdued by his recent form and the back line missing a regular left and center defender - I just understand the odds on Spartak Moscow tomorrow.
Value is surely on Dynamo Moscow, who usually rise to the occasion when facing a strong opponent at home.
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Dynamo Moscow not to lose @ 1.83 with Bet365 (main bet)
