Rubin – Krasnodar

Rubin has chances even against Krasnodar

On Sunday, 10 November, Rubin will play with Krasnodar at home. "Bulls" go on a historic winning streak - won eleven meetings in a row. The Kazans are quietly settling in the middle of the table. There are no chances for medals, but the fight for survival is not threatening now. Krasnodar surprises the bookmakers very much. The odds on the club's title have already dropped to 2.70. Before the start of the championship it was possible to bet for 12.00. At the moment, Murad Musaev's team looks like an almost perfect contender for the main trophy. Krasnodar are just two matches away from repeating CSKA's record streak of thirteen games. Fourteen wins in the Russian championships has never happened. The club's leaders John Cordoba and Eduard Spertsyan are in excellent form. Both showed their class in the last meeting against Orenburg. Cordoba has already topped the scorer's race with eight goals; Spertsyan has six goals and three assists. Krasnodar is going the tournament distance very quietly. Krylia Sovetov did not become a serious obstacle in Samara; Orenburg and Khimki scored four goals each, and they beat all five top clubs. The schedule is in line with the champion's, with 39 points a bid for one of the record first-round results. The 31:6 goal difference is also impressive. Perhaps Krasnodar lacks a bit of depth compared to their rivals, but so far this factor has no impact, as there are no major injuries. Musaev can use Smolov, Kobnan and Kozlov as reinforcements - the reserves are clearly below par, but they take the field when the game is already done. Rubin seem to have overcome the unpleasant period of rumours about Rashid Rakhimov's resignation. Kazan answered the critics by beating Orenburg, followed by a decent defeat to Lokomotiv Moscow and a draw with CSKA in the Russian Cup. So far Kazan are nowhere near slipping into crisis. In fact, the minimum task for the season has been fulfilled already in the first round - the fight for survival is not threatening. Rubin, under Rashid Rakhimov, is a solid mid-table side both in terms of attacking performance and danger at the net. There is no serious bias. Kazan is one of the most convenient opponents for Krasnodar: only one defeat in nine matches. Since 2020, the Bulls have always taken points in this confrontation. The odds still look undervalued. There is a typical effect of overestimating the leader under the pressure of the series. Rubin knows how to close and is capable of holding out for the second leg. Krasnodar may be mentally fatigued from such a series. Plus, a draw in Kazan is quite a workable result for the title contender.