Lokomotiv M – Krylia Sovetov

Krylya Sovetov do not look like a dangerous opponent, even for crisis-ridden Lokomotiv

Lokomotiv reached the fifth round of the RPL without a single win in the Russian league. This is a very big surprise. The team was considered one of the medal contenders. Zheleznodorozhnyye showed a good quality of play in the first two rounds against Nizhny Novgorod and Rostov. In terms of advanced statistics, they significantly outclassed their opponents, but then there was a dark streak. The team conceded five goals in half an hour in St Petersburg, soon collapsed in Krasnodar. The team failed again in the closing stages. There is a feeling that Lokomotiv have obvious problems with fitness. The club has its worst stretches in the closing stages. The Lokomotiv coaching staff found themselves under a lot of pressure. The Muscovites have lost two straight games with a combined score of 0-8. A total of eleven goals were conceded in four rounds, although Zenit were the only opponents from the top clubs. Even the radical option of dismissing someone from the German coaching staff if the club does not beat Krylia cannot be ruled out. Then Lokomotiv risk relegation to the relegation zone. Currently, Lokomotiv have made their worst start in the Russian league in sixteen years. Krylya Sovetov are also predictably unimpressive. Igor Osinkin has significant staffing problems, which cannot be solved in any way. Samara have a system of play, but not nearly enough performers to compete even at the RPL level, let alone against the top clubs. In the last round, Krylia Sovetov were beaten in class by Dynamo. More telling was the previous match against the hopeless Torpedo. The Black-Whites came to Samara as underdogs, with 6.00 odds, but could have even counted on a win. A draw was a fair result. In terms of advanced stats, Krylia Sovetov did not globally outclass their opponent. In attack, a lot is now focused on Maksim Glushenkov. At the same time, Krylia's opponents have found it much easier. The threat comes from virtually one player. The others objectively lack individual skill. Lokomotiv's big plus before the game is the return of Dmitriy Barinov. The midfielder has served his suspension and will be a systematic player in the centre of the pitch. The main attacking trio of internationals remains injury-free. Lokomotiv have a significant advantage in class and tremendous motivation. Krylya Sovetov look very weak in comparison to the big teams this season. Bookmakers, on the other hand, give almost equal odds on the home team and the visitors. It's worth taking advantage of this. Lokomotiv have a good chance to get their first win.