Group F Under-dogs Rubin Kazan and Dynamo Kiev face-off in Tuesday's early kick-off in Russia
Rubin Kazan produced one of this season’s biggest shocks, when they went to the Nou Camp, and recorded an incredible two-one win over Champions League holders Barcelona. The Russian Champions followed that result with an impressive nil-nil draw with the Spaniards in Russia, which has left them with a good chance of progressing from Group F, at the expense of either Barcelona or Inter Milan.
If Rubin are to progress, it is imperative that they beat Dynamo Kiev in Tuesday’s early Champions League kick-off. The Russians are even-money (Coral) to pick up all three points, and at first glance that looks like a price well worth taking.
However, Dynamo Kiev, whilst not quite producing the shocks that Rubin have, are doing well in this year’s competition. The Ukrainians were three-one winners over Rubin in Kiev, and performed well in both matches against Inter, drawing two-two in Milan, and narrowly losing in Kiev, in a game in which they deserved at least a point.
Qualification may, perhaps, be beyond Dynamo, but a win (16/5,Bet365) on Tuesday in Russia would almost certainly earn them a place in the Europa League, and would give them an outside chance of Champions League progression.
Tuesday’s match may be a nervy encounter, as both sides will be determined not to lose. Both sides are unlikely to commit many men forward in the early stages, and quotes of 6/5 (Bet365) that the game is tied, probably at nil-nil (8/5, Expekt) at half-time make good appeal.
As the home side, Rubin will, of course be under more of an obligation to attack, and in Argentine striker Alejandro Dominguez (6/1, Totesport) they have a striker more than capable of breaching the Dynamo defence. He will be supported by Russian international Sergei Semak, who is dangerous from midfield, and looks to be wrongly priced by Coral at 14/1 to open the scoring, especially as most other firms are offering less than half that price.
Dynamo’s goal threat will come from Ukrainian internationals Artem Milevskiy (10/1, Bet365) and Andrey Shevchenko (10/1, ExtraBet). Former World Player of the Year Shevchenko netted in his side’s last Champions League game, against Inter Milan, scoring his 48th Champions League goal, and it would be no surprise if he were to add to that incredible record on Tuesday.
As previously stated, the game is likely to be very close, and in truth there is not much between the two sides. Neither side have won, or lost a European match this season by more than two goals, and in matches of this magnitude the match is often decided on luck, or a set-piece, rather than an outstanding performance. A draw (12/5, Bet365) and a correct score of one-one (6/1, Bet365) could well be the eventual result, which whilst not particularly beneficial to either side, will nonetheless allow both teams to go into the last round of matches with something to play for.
Recommendations
Half-Time Result – Draw (6/5, Bet365)
First Goalscorer – Sergei Semak (14/1, Coral)