Odds Types
I’m not an expert in Russian League, but I have watched several Rubin Kazan’s matches in this season due they faced against FC Barcelona in Champions League. Russian League starts next weekend. Rubin Kazan has already played 3 official games in this year 2010. They had got 3 positive results. They progressed in Europa League against Hapoel Tel-Aviv quite comfortably (3-0 and 0-0). They also won the Russian Supercup against CSKA (1-0). The team has kept the same group of players than the last season. Their biggest loss is Alejandro Dominguez, who signed for Valencia CF. They have signed new players. Jordi Figueras (defender) and Fatih Tekke (striker) are the most important. They have kept the same group that won the previous Russian League last season. Their goal scorer, Alexander Bukharov, has a great scorer streak.
Important Absences
VfL Wolfsburg is placed in 10th spot in the Bundesliga. The team has improved so much their performances in Germany, after their horrible start of the season. Wolfsburg won the qualifying against Villarreal CF easily. They were much better as first leg as second one. They drew (2-2) in Madrigal Stadium, they deserved to win this match and they trashed quite easily (4-1) in Germany. Wolfsburg will have a lot of absences of important players. Ziani (midfielder), Benaglio (defender), Benaglio (goalkeeper) and Grafite (striker) haven’t traveled to Russia. They are important absences in Wolfsburg’s playing system. Grafite is injured and he had recovered the same good scoring streak as last season. The last news is not good for the Germans. In last training, Edin Dzeko left and he will be doubtful for the match.
Cold and Bad Pitch
This match will be tough for Wolfsburg against Rubin Kazan. Rubin Kazan is a hard nut to crack in their Stadium. Remembering the matches in the group stage of Champions League, I can watch that they didn’t lose any match at home and two of them finished 0-0. Rubin Kazan is a team which works quite well in defense. They work so close in defense and it’s quite tough to score goals in their stadium. Wolfsburg will have important absences in their offensive system, Grafite and maybe Dzeko won’t play on Thursday. These blows damage to Germans’ offensive line. I think if Germans play an open game in Russia, it’s very probable that they will lose with high scoring, because Russian Club defends very well and makes dangerous counters, taking advantage of Bukharov’s good moment. So I think Kostner (coach) sets out a tactic match and making counter-attacks. The match will be played with 5 degrees below zero and the pitch will be in bad conditions. These conditions will not make easy a fluent and passing gaming style. Watching the odds on goal scored market, I think bookmakers have overrated Wolfsburg’s scoring skills. It seems to me a very appealing odd for Under 2.5 goals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prediction:
Tip: Under 2.5
Odd: 2.05
Bookie: Bet365
Stake: 4 /10
Tipster: Kather
