Dynamo Moscow-Spartak Moscow
Football : Russian : Premier League
Sunday, 28th November 2010. Kickoff 12:00 CET

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Lokomotiv Moscow

Lokomotiv Moscow has secured a place in the Europa League for next season beating off stiff competition from Spartak Nalchik. They can now leap-frog Spartak Moscow into the 4th place provided they beat Rubin and Red-Whites lose points in the derby against Dynamo. Lokomotiv is motivated to improve its' ranking and also win the last home match of the controversial season.

The team is on the edge of serious changes which should be made in mid-season break. Yury Semin is heavily linked with a move back to Dynamo Kyiv, so theoretically the game against Rubin will be the last for the experienced manager. Spartak's N. Yury Krasnozhan and BATE's Viktor Goncharenko are the top candidates to take the reigns in Lokomotiv Moscow.

Amongst the squad news for tomorrow's game is the possible return of top-scorer Aliev to the left midfield wing. The Ukrainian was rested in the previous match against Rostov as a precausion. Maicon has been training individually for more than a week now and his introduction somewhere in the second half can't be ruled out. In the meantime Igor Smolnikov should continue on the vacant right wing. Yury Semin has been using center back Rodolfo as second striker in Lokomotiv's 3 recent fixtures, but I don't think it will be the case tomorrow. At least from the start.

Rubin Kazan

Rubin has won bronze medals last week after being held to a 2-2 draw by Zenit, while main rivals CSKA succeeded against Spartak. Kurban Berdyev is by no means upset with the result insisting it was difficult for his players to battle for a 3rd consecutive championship title. As the game in Moscow represents no tournament value for Rubin, the team will likely have a very mixed look with some benchwarmers given a chance to prove themselves. Bochetti , Ryzhikov , Natho (S/R), Noboa, Kornilenko, Ryazantsev and others are all set to be rested.

I personally anticipate 22 year old Lithuanian Arlauskis to continue in goal for Rubin Kazan. He had a debut match last week conceding twice against Russian champions Zenit. Center back Sharonov also made the first start after a lengthy injury lay-off and by all means he must feature tomorrow again. Probably he will be partnered by gigantic Orekhov as Bochetti and Cesar Navas would get a deserved break. Murawski and Sibaya should step up instead of the regular midfield duo Natho-Noboa. Up front in attack the wings will be entrusted to Petr Bystrov and Gorbanets, whereas the offensive pair should feature Medvedev (S/R) and, hopefully, Obafemi Martins. The Nigerian has been suffering from a minor injury and missed most of Rubin’s latest fixtures.

Historically Kurban Berdyev tends not to take meaningless games seriously. After securing the title two years ago, Rubin literally threw in the towel in the remaining fixtures fielding an unmotivated B-squad. I doubt that Spalletti’s example last week has taught Berdyev a lesson of good manners.

Betting advice

I expect Lokomotiv to leap-frog Spartak into the 4th place. Hosts obviously are the more motivated side and in front of home faithful fans should not have many problems dispatching Rubin's B-squad.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Lokomotiv Moscow to win @ 1.72 with Bet365 (main bet)