CSKA – Sochi

CSKA look clear favourites against Sochi

CSKA will take on Sochi at home on Saturday 23 July in the second leg of the RPL. The Army club put their fans at ease in the first meeting. Vladimir Fedotov's team confidently beat Ural 2-0. The Muscovites could have scored five goals, but they lacked the realization of chances. The team squandered a couple of great chances. At the same time, the structure of the game and the quality of the attacking moves were unquestionable. CSKA expertly adapted to a three-back formation. The Army Men had no major problems in defence. Ural are not the most difficult opponents, but last season CSKA hardly got a draw at home. Now they only allowed the team to create one goal-scoring chance. Importantly, CSKA have improved physically compared to their pre-season games. The club has played most of its friendly games poorly. CSKA even had a streak of three straight dry defeats. Curiously, they also lost the match against Sochi. There are questions about the southerners. Sochi lost two key players over the summer. Cassierra and Rodrigao left for Zenit. The southerners have bought only forward Sarveli as a substitute. We cannot say it is an equal replacement. There was a lot of positivity in the game against Torpedo. Sochi managed to score three goals, but it was not all clear-cut. The first goal was a direct mistake by the Torpedo goalkeeper. Sochi's defence looked vulnerable. A more classy opponent could punish Sochi for such mistakes. Plus Sochi have rotation issues right now. Vadim Garanin does not have many options specifically to strengthen in the second half. Sochi had no losses in regulation time before the season. The club looked decent in the Match Premier Cup, but did not operate in an attacking fashion. Bookmakers give a fairly high odds on CSKA's victory - more than 2.00. The first match convinces us otherwise. The Army Men look like a team that sacrificed results on the eve of the season, gaining form. Sochi, on the other hand, have not added to their form when compared to the pre-season games. CSKA is significantly stronger in terms of squad. Legionnaires Carrascal and Medina make the difference in attack, Fedotov's new scheme gives some stability in defense. Plus, Konstantin Kuchaev, who returned from a loan spell, is fit for purpose. Fedor Chalov has also been a reinforcement. The striker will be fielded as the main player. CSKA also have some depth in the squad if we consider strengthening in the second half. Sochi will certainly not risk to open up against the rival's fast legionnaires. Pressure from Garanin's wards is unlikely. Most likely, the southerners will not mind a peaceful outcome too much.