Sochi welcome Rubin Kazan to the Fisht Stadium on Tuesday, with both sides still searching for their first Russian Premier League win of the season.
Sochi currently sit ninth in the table following two successive draws, while Rubin Kazan are in thirteenth after picking up one draw and one defeat from their opening two outings.
Sochi were 2-0 down inside ten minutes against Spartak Moscow in their first game of the season, but two penalties from Dmitry Poloz and Christian Noboa earned them a point.
The Leopards were also forced to come from a behind their second game, with Noboa scoring his second goal of the campaign to rescue a draw against Khimki.
Last week’s draw means that Sochi are now unbeaten in their previous seven league games, although they have drawn five of their last nine overall.
Meanwhile, Rubin Kazan were outplayed by Spartak Moscow on the opening day. Silvije Begic was sent off after Aleksei Miranchuck and Dmitri Barinov scored in the first half.
Despite racking up 21 shots in their previous game, Kazan could only manage a draw against Ural. Ivan Ignatyev cancelled out Eric Bicfalvi’s early penalty.
When you consider that Kazan come into this match on the back of a nine-game unbeaten run away from home, you would expect them to get something from this game.
However, it is also important to remember that Kazan have only managed to win two of their last 13 away games in the Russian Premier League.
Head-to-head: Sochi took four points from a possible six in this fixture last season, winning 3-0 away from home before drawing 1-1 at the Fischt Stadium.
In fact, Sochi are unbeaten in their previous four meetings with Rubin Kazan, picking up three wins and one draw during that period.
Team news: Sochi have no fresh injury worries heading into Tuesday’s clash. Noboa will be aiming to score in three consecutive league games against his former club.
As for Rubin Kazan, midfielder Oleg Shatov is likely to miss out through injury, while left-back Mikhail Merkulov is suspended following his red card last time out.
Neither side has started the season particularly well, but Sochi’s record in this fixture means the home side are likely to get something from this game.
Forebet predicts that Sochi and Rubin Kazan will play out a low-scoring draw. Both teams are expected to score, but the game is likely to end level.