Within the first round of the RFPL Rubin will host Krasnodar at their home ground. The match is anticipated with a great interest, as Kurban Berdyev has returned to Rubin, who made the team the champions twice, and also created a real miracle with Rostov. Krasnodar, in their turn, do not have that many changes, as Shalimov remains the head coach, whom the management trusts, whereas there hasn’t been that much progress for the Bulls with this coach.
Rubin didn’t look that well in the preseason matches: a 2:0 victory over Celje, draws with Austria and Utrecht and also a miserable loss from Arminia. But there is no doubt, that the men from Kazan will prepare very seriously for the upcoming game, besides, it has been known, that the boys from Tatarstan perform much better at their home ground, other than away.
Krasnodar have spent their preseason training camp actively, the team has managed to defeat Maribor 2:0, the matches ended in a draw with CSKA, Slavia and Copenhagen. Whereas it is important to note, that Krasnodar performed pretty good away last season, managed to get four victories with seven draws and for defeats, 14 goals were scored and eleven conceded. In general, Krasnodar perform defensively away.
The upcoming game will be the first official one for Berdyev, as Rubin’s head coach, therefore it is preferable not to lose at least. Krasnodar also wouldn’t want to lose, but the team would probably agree on a draw in Kazan. Besides, it is unlikely, that the match will be efficient.
Prediction for the match: Rubin not to lose + under 3.5 goals in the match
