Dynamo Makhachkala – Krasnodar

The Russian runner-up will drop points for the first time this season.

Before the fifth round there are no sadder coaches in the Russian Premier League than Murad Musaev. The Krasnodar coach has won all four of his team's opening matches, which allows the 'bulls' to lead the table. Nevertheless, the cup match in Moscow against Dynamo turned into a real personnel nightmare for Murad Olegovich. One after another in the second half, the team's attacking engines broke down: Bachi and Krivtsov. Moreover, judging by Nikita's distress and his departure from the pitch with the help of club staff, the Russian midfielder is out for a long time. In addition, Lucas Olaza and Diego Costa did not fly to Moscow, as they are nursing injuries. Douglas Augusto has only just recovered from minor health problems, and there is no information about the full readiness of John Cordoba, who was ruled out in the World Cup playoff opener. Overall, Musaev has a lot to think about. The newcomers Christian, Dmitry Vorobyov, Daniil Utkin, and Magomed Ozdoev are still fitting into the Bulls' game and are not yet ready to take on leadership roles on the field. The staffing situation is complicated by the fact that they will have to play in Kaspiysk against an opponent that has evidently found its stride. Krasnodar has always found it hard to play away at Makhachkala Dynamo, but today Vadim Evseev's squad is so strengthened that it poses an increased threat to the strongest Premier League clubs. In the first four rounds of the championship, the Dynamo players managed to beat Fakel, Lokomotiv, and Krylya Sovetov. The team's only defeat under Evseev came after a trip to Moscow to face local clubmates. But even in that match the Dagestani side were still level with their opponent until the 77th minute. Even in the cup game against Baltika in Kaliningrad, the guests from Makhachkala finished regular time level and only lost in the penalty shootout. Undoubtedly, Krasnodar will become the first top-tier opponent this season. Neither Spartak nor Zenit has yet faced Evseev's charges this season. At the same time, the current personnel situation in Krasnodar, the venue of the match, Dynamo's form, and the bookmakers' quotes do not promise the runner-up an easy life in Kaspiysk. Let's bet that Musaev's team will, for the first time this season, drop points.