Krasnodar – Rubin

Krasnodar will not defeat Rubin in the first match after the break

The leader of the Russian championship in the first round will play against one of the best teams of the autumn. Krasnodar will host Rubin at home. "Bulls" are in a real fight for the championship title, and the Kazan club - only for their own progress. Departure is no longer a threat. Krasnodar certainly did not become weaker in the winter. The Southerners signed two important players. Kevin Castaño, the main player of the Colombian national team, came to the supporting zone. He can become one of the best performers in the Russian championship. A system-forming midfielder for Ivic is emerging. The second newcomer is the experienced forward from Brazil Victor Sa. This is a somewhat strange transfer, but it is explained, firstly, by the disqualification of Córdoba, secondly, by the too narrow rotation in attack, and thirdly, by the departure of Ilzat Akhmetov. Krasnodar did not lose any of their key players. Akhmetov's departure doesn't look like a problem. There are no new injuries either. The team have worked fruitfully at the training camp and are not hiding their goal - to fight for the title. Rubin has built a very strong team. The total cost of Kazan is only 25 million euros, but the club is competently mastering the Balkan market. Over the winter, there were six new transfers at once. The centre forward Shabanhadjay, who was called up to the Austrian youth national team, stands out. Rakhimov's squad has become deeper. But the style of play is unlikely to shift towards the attacking side. Rubin has one of the best defences in the Russian league. After an unstable start, the coach's scheme with three centre-backs has worked perfectly. Rubin does not shy away from playing unspectacular football. In terms of chances at their own goal, the Kazan team is in third place. Only Krasnodar and Zenit are higher. The attack is among the worst in the league. Surprisingly, Rubin managed to keep the series of matches on the total less before the break. The team has failed to top the goalscoring charts in ten consecutive games. On average, only one goal has been scored in Rubin's games since September. Krasnodar had a similar series, but in autumn. Further already the leader gave away four matches in a row on the exchange of goals. In the first round Krasnodar not without adventures, but won in Kazan - 2:0. Now bookmakers give a very low odds on the favourite: 1.60 for a clean win. Such a scenario looks like an underestimation of Rubin. Rakhimov has built an impenetrable defence. Scoring even one goal will be a problem. Krasnodar will still have to find new links in attack without Cordoba. It is logical to assume that Rubin's defeat is possible, but not with a big score. Krasnodar themselves have long favoured control of the game and cold-blooded victories with a one goal difference.