Torpedo M – Sochi

The odds on Sochi’s win are too high

On Sunday, July 17, Torpedo will take on Sochi at home. "The Black and Whites are back in the elite with a renewed strategy, but a very modestly named squad. The team plans to live within their means. The Muscovites made a few point reinforcements during the summer, but overall the squad would not be dominant even at the FNL level. The main summer signing is Spartak defender Ilya Kutepov. In attack, Mukhammad Sultonov and Denis Laptev are the club's most expensive assets. Both will try to prove that they are capable of playing at a higher level, although previously their careers said otherwise. Torpedo have a very experienced age squad. There are virtually no talented youngsters. The exception is the 21-year-old goalkeeper Botnar. The average age of the defence is well over 30. The main task for the Black-Whites will be to fight for survival. That is all this squad is capable of. Sochi have had a revolutionary summer. The southerners lost their coach Vladimir Fedotov, and with him two key players Rodrigao and Cassierra. Both left for Zenit. It is far from certain that Terekhov and Noboa will remain in the team. Fedotov himself wants to see them in CSKA. The talented forward Sarveli was acquired in the attack of Krylya Sovetov, but he is weaker in terms of class than Kascierra. Sochi will have a difficult transition season ahead of them. The football of new coach Vadim Garanin differs significantly from the strategies that Fedotov has developed over the years. Now the Southerners will try to apply more pressure. That style requires excellent physical preparation. Sochi also have problems with the average age of the team. Almost all the players have either crossed the 30-year mark, or are close to it. In the Premier Cup Sochi looked good. They did not lose a single game in regulation time. At the same time, the game with Nizhny Novgorod was the worst in terms of quality. It was a game where they needed to play at the top of the order. Sochi had little success on offense. The bookmakers see the visitors as the clear favorite for the next game. You can argue with that fact. Torpedo play their first game in front of their home fans. There will be a special attitude. Sochi have obvious problems with their roster. Torpedo will surely build a strong defensive redoubts. Sochi additionally have problems on standard defensive positions. Here, Torpedo can catch their chance. The football is not going to be very productive. Sochi will get the ball under control, but do not expect a lot of chances. Torpedo have retained the backbone of the team from the FNL. There will be no problems with the organisation of the defence.