CSKA – Akhmat

CSKA and Akhmat are unlikely to produce many goals

On Sunday, 21 August, CSKA will take on Akhmat at home. The Army Men have significantly improved under Vladimir Fedotov. The team now has a relatively balanced squad in all lines. The team has become an improved version of last year's Sochi. The coach will not abandon the three centre-backs scheme. CSKA looked good even against Zenit away. In the other games they had total superiority over their opponents. The Army Men won three games. A disappointing defeat against Nizhny Novgorod was recorded, but that was by chance. CSKA dominated and fell victim to slackness. The Army team's injury situation is not cause for concern. Bruno Fuchs is traditionally absent, but everyone is used to his problems. No one is serious about the Brazilian. It is more important that Carraskal and Medina can be put into the starting line-up. Akhmat are still sitting in the middle of the table. Andriy Talalayev has done a good job with the club. So far the team from Grozny has left a pleasant impression in every match. Akhmat managed to take points from Zenit and Spartak. The only defeat was recorded in a relatively equal game with Sochi. In the last round Akhmat showed that they were very far from the RPL outsiders. The victory over Khimki was solid with a fairly high quality of play. There's a feeling that the current squad of Akhmat have not yet reached their peak. There is a chance to claim a place in the top six. Talalayev even has the opportunity for a decent rotation. For example, Berisha is not always in the starting line-up at the moment. An interesting pattern is emerging in the clash between CSKA and Akhmat. Three games in a row the opponents have played on "total under". Now such a scenario is also probable. Zenit and Spartak have had trouble defending against the team from Grozny. Now CSKA are also unlikely to win easily. We expect a tight match, where a lot can be decided by the first goal. CSKA has never faced this type of opponent this season. An organised mid-table side is capable of picking up points in Moscow. Even if CSKA score first, it is unlikely that they can quickly build on their success. The hosts will be content with a one-goal advantage. CSKA will not take any chances in their scheme and will switch to a more defensive option. Akhmat have not scored only against Zenit, so Fedotov probably understands the danger of the opponents' counterattacks.