On Saturday night, Russia host San Marino at the Mordovia Arena in Group I of qualifying for the European Championships.
Russia are currently third-place in the group standings, having suffered a 3-1 defeat against Belgium in their group opener before winning 4-0 in Kazakhstan in their last qualifier.
The victory over Kazakhstan ended a three-game losing run for the home side in the international game. It was also the third match out of Russia’s last four that had produced over 2.5 goals.
Russia have a strong recent record in qualification for the European Championships, as they have won five of their last six matches. They have also scored at least two goals in four of their last five qualifiers. Their attacking prowess has led to over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five qualifiers.
The home sides record on home soil in recent qualifiers is inconsistent. However, they have won six of their last nine qualifiers at home, including their last two matches.
San Marino are the whipping boys of European football. The visitors have lost their last 29 international games and unsurprising sit bottom of Group I. The visitors will likely to be heading to Russia with damage limitation in mind.
They have conceded at least two goals in 26 of those 29 defeats. They have also failed to score in their last ten international matches.
San Marino have a woeful record in European Championship qualifying, suffering defeat in 67 of their 68 outings in qualifiers. They have also conceded at least two goals in their last eight qualifiers.
The visitors have never avoided defeat on their travels in qualifying for the European Championships. They have also conceded at least two goals in all 33 of their away qualifiers.
Considering San Marino’s international record, it is unsurprising that Forebet predicts that Russia will record in this clash.