The Russian Premier League kicks off a round of midweek fixtures as the division moves into matchday 5. Two midtable strugglers, Krasnodar and CSKA Moscow, will meet at the Krasnodar Stadium.
Neither team have started the 2020-21 season particularly well. Krasnodar have taken six points from 12 possible and sit seventh in the table.
CSKA Moscow have also taken six points from 12 possible. They are one place lower than Krasnodar based on goal difference. CSKA Moscow have scored six times but allowed five goals to be scored by opponents.
Both Krasnodar and CSKA Moscow have ambitions of playing better football. Krasnodar finished last season in third place while CSKA Moscow were fourth. They both qualified for Europe with Krasnodar achieving Champions League playoff round qualification.
CSKA Moscow qualified for the Europa League group stage but playing in this season’s tournament won’t be an enjoyable prospect unless they turn around their domestic campaign.
After back to back wins to start the season, the Horses have lost two consecutive games. CSKA Moscow were beaten by league leaders Zenit St. Petersburg 2-1 followed by Rubin Kazan at the weekend, 2-1. The Horses are simply giving up too many goals to strong opponents.
The good news for CSKA Moscow is their recent form versus Krasnodar. They collected four points from six possible last season. CSKA Moscow claimed a 3-2 win at home versus the Bulls before getting a 1-1 draw away. That away draw saw Krasnodar come from a goal down at halftime.
In spite of CSKA Moscow’s four points from six last season, Krasnodar are unbeaten in seven of their last 10 games versus the capital club. That includes three wins by the Bulls. Krasnodar are unbeaten at home versus CSKA Moscow in their last three games played at the Krasnodar Arena.
The Bulls have played just once at home this term, but that game ended in a victory, 2-0, versus Arsenal Tula. Krasnodar lead the Russian Premier League in possession with 61.6%. They also average 17.3 shots per game.
Krasnodar’s defence must be aware of CSKA Moscow leading scorers Konstantin Kuchaev and Nikola Vlasic. The duo has bagged four goals which is 66% of the team’s scoring.
If Krasnodar can stop both Kuchaev and Vlasic, there is a good chance they will claim another home result versus CSKA Moscow. Expect Krasnodar to get a big win versus the visitors and move up the table. There of their last four games have seen under 2.5 goals and this one should too.