Preview: Russian Premier League. Matchday 14
The heavy schedule of the Russian championship has affected first and foremost the coaches. Almost half of those who had begun their work at the beginning of the season, have not lasted out until the summer break. Moreover, there are still some who may not sleep the sleep of the just. Tarkhanov’s Krylia Sovetov have beated Kuban, but that didn’t make anyone forget about the nine-games winless streak and the penultimate place in the standings. On Saturday the Samara-based club will be hosted by Terek Grozny, who are now in search of a right coach for themselves. Amkar head coach Rashid Rakhimov apparently has a chance to go on holiday with no worry. The Perm club have been earning their points quite often lately and the club management hasn’t yet forgotten the away victory over Spartak Moscow. The ubiquitous changes have been the least favourable for CSKA and Zenit: now they should visit two absolutely unpredictable opponents – Spartak Nalchik and Volga, respectively.
Match of the day
Lokomotiv Moscow – Spartak Moscow. Vladimir Maminov’s independent coaching experience may be next to none, but still he has already beaten Spartak. In May 2009, he was sent to extinguish the fires made by his predecessor Rashid Rakhimov, beat the principal opponent and then handed in the post to Yuri Semin. Now Maminov has a wonderful chance to start his solo career. In case of a victory in this Moscow derby Olga Smorodskaya may let her hair down and brush away the ‘interim’ prefix off Maminov’s title. One week ago the Railwaymen have had their first victory after Krasnozhan’s departure and the recent scandal is now almost forgotten.
Meanwhile, Spartak are still to win in June – that’s why everyone is so wrought-up there. Last Tuesday Valery Karpin looked close to biting the referee Igor Yegorov, having run onto the pitch after the game against Tom. It was all because of a seemingly trifling throw-in, which, if truth be told, has led to a goal scored against the Red-and-Whites. It’s high time for Karpin to win, because everything may get even more aggravated – and resigning from the same position twice in two months would be too much.
Worth having a look
Kuban Krasnodar – FC Krasnodar. This game is worth watching at least for an understanding what the Krasnodar derby is like. Various Southern and Caucasian derbies have been discredited by match fixing allegations and will have to restore their reputation for a long time. However, FC Krasnodar midfielder Joaozinho has called the upcoming match ‘the Southern clasico of Russian football». Perhaps, he was rather previous in his conclusions: as of now Kuban and Krasnodar manage to more or less fill up their joint home stadium only during the matches against top clubs.
But even if we forget about the allegedly principal rivalry between the Krasnodar teams, there is always something to pay attention here. In the first half of the season (at least, before the last game against Krylia Sovetov) Dan Petrescu’s team has been surprisingly good at running and stable at gaining points. FC Krasnodar did even jump to the first place having just appeared in the Premier League. Later the team had a recession, but after a small break Slavoljub Muslin managed to bring their past game back.
Debuts
At least three coaches will play their premier games in the Premier League on the same day. Dmitry Cheryshev came to Volga to make use of the experience he had gained at Real Madrid. He has one of the most difficult tasks to begin for a debutant head coach, as it will be Zenit coming to Nizhny Novgorod.
Sergey Tashuyev left FC Krasnodar in November, having hinted that he had had an offer from the Premier League. But it turned out that Krasnodar found themselves in the elite earlier that Tashuyev. Now the 52-year-coach has finally got his formidable challenge – this Saturday his Spartak Nalchik will play CSKA.
Isa Baitiyev has been working at Terek since 2002. Most likely, he will once again become an ordinary assistant already in the nearest future, as the management of the Grozny-based team is in search for a successor to Ruud Gullit (by the way, Paul Gascoigne seems to be at large now). However, Baitiyev will manage to spend at least the game against Krylia Sovetov at the helm.
Keep an eye
In reply to Vagner Love’s requests for a rescue, Flamengo’s directors have apologized and let him know they can’t do anything. Despaired of getting back home before long, Vagner began scoring goals in Russia.
Bet of the day
On Tuesday Suleiman Kerimov, owner of Anzhi Makhachkala, had to go down to the team’s locker room after it was demolished by CSKA Moscow. In order to avoid disturbing the busy billionaire once again, Anzhi will have to beat Amkar away (odds – 2.3).
Men of their word
Vice-governor of the Krasnodar Krai and Kuban Krasnodar supervisor Ivan Peronko: «Signing Mutu? I should admit that the negotiations are being held.».
Kuban Krasnodar general director Suren Mkrtchyan three days later: «I can state that Kuban has not been holding any negotiations with Mutu.»
Figure
7 coaches’ dismissals have happened since the beginning of the season. Almost 11 months are left to the end of the most prolonged football season in the country’s history.
Dynamo Moscow – Tom Tomsk
June 18. Arena Khimki (Khimki), 16.30.
Referee: Vladimir Kazmenko (Rostov-on-Don).
Injuries: Kolodin / Klimov, Tigorev.
Suspensions: none.
Dynamo (Sports.ru version): Shunin – Wilkshire, Fernandez, Granat, Lomic – Samedov, Sapeta, Semshov, Kokorin – Voronin, Kuranyi.
Tom (Sports.ru version): Pesyakov – Gultyaev, Sabitov, Jokic, Skoblyakov – Golyshev, Kim, Balyaikin, Bazhenov – Starikov, Kanunnikov.
Last matches: = + + = – / = + – = =
Last year’s matches: 0:0 (Moscow), 0:1 (Tomsk).
Odds by Marathon Betting: Dynamo – 1.47, draw – 4.5, Tom – 7.13.
Amkar Perm – Anzhi Makhachkala
June 18. Zvezda Stadium, 16.30.
Referee: Sergey Karasyov (Moscow).
Injuries: Narubin, Topchu / Jucilei, Tardelli.
Suspensions: none.
Amkar (Sports.ru version): Khamutovsky – Sirakov, Belorukov, Popov, Fedoriv – Peev, Kolomeitsev, Mijajlovic, Sekretov – Burmistrov, Djalovic.
Anzhi (Sports.ru version): Revishvili – Angbwa, Tagirbekov, Gadzhibekov, Agalarov – Ahmedov, Roberto Carlos, Boussoufa – Holenda, Lakhiyalov, M. Gadzhiev.
Last matches: = – + – + / = – + + -
Last year’s matches: 1:0 (Perm), 0:1 (Makhachkala).
Odds by Marathon Betting: Amkar – 3.6, draw – 3.13, Anzhi – 2.3.
Terek Grozny – Krylia Sovetov Samara
June 18. Akhmat Arena (Grozny), 18.45.
Referee: Yuri Baskakov (Moscow).
Injuries: Guy Essame / Joseph-Reinette, Tsallagov, Kuznetsov.
Suspensions: Tiui / none.
Terek (Sports.ru version): Dzhanaev – Utsiev, Ferreira, Omelyanchuk, Yatchenko – Georgiev, Mauricio, Katsaev, Pavlenko, Zengue – Sadaev.
Krylja Sovetov (Sports.ru version): M’Bolhi – Ponomarenko, Taranov, Djordjevic, Novitsky – Samsonov, Sosnin, Yeliseyev, Kirillov – Pecnik, Savin.
Last matches: – + = – – / – – = – +
Last year’s matches: 2:0 (Grozny), 3:1 (Samara).
Odds by Marathon Betting: Terek – 1.58, draw – 3.7, Krylia Sovetov – 6.43.
Spartak Nalchik – CSKA Moscow
June 18. Spartak Stadium (Nalchik), 18.45.
Referee: Vladislav Bezborodov (St.-Petersburg).
Injuries: Jovanovic, Pomazan / M. Gonzalez, Shchennikov, Necid.
Suspensions: none.
Spartak Nalchik (Sports.ru version): Fredrikson – Bagaev, Ovsienko, Djudovic, Lebedev – Leandro, Kontsedalov, Zahirovic – Siradze, Portnyagin, Pilipchuk.
CSKA (Sports.ru version): Akinfeev – Nababkin, Ignashevich, V. Berezutsky, A. Berezutsky – Honda, Mamaev, Aldonin, Dzagoev – Doumbia, Vagner Love.
Last matches: = = = – – / = + = + +
Last year’s matches: 2:1 (Moscow), 1:1 (Nalchik).
Odds by Marathon Betting: Spartak Nalchik – 8.25, draw – 4.75, CSKA – 1.43.
Volga Nizhny Novgorod – Zenit St. Petersburg
June 18. Lokomotiv Stadium (Nizhny Novgorod), 18.45.
Referee: Alexey Yeskov (Moscow).
Injuries: Plesan, Yashin, Khodzhava / Anyukov, Shirokov, Bystrov, Hubocan, Lazovic.
Suspensions: none.
Volga (Sports.ru version): Abaev – Salukvadze, Bendz, Grigalava, Leilton – Tursunov, Adzhindzhal, Crosas, Gogua – Martsvaladze, Khazov.
Zenit (Sports.ru version): Malafeev – Semak, B. Alves, Lombaerts, Lukovic – Zyryanov, Denisov, Faizulin – Dannt, Kerzhakov, Ionov.
Last matches: – = – + – / = – + = +
Last year’s matches: did not meet.
Odds by Marathon Betting: Volga – 7.73, draw – 4.5, Zenit – 1.37.
Kuban Krasnodar – FC Krasnodar
June 18. Kuban Stadium (Krasnodar), 20.00.
Referee: Stanislav Sukhina (Malakhovka).
Injuries: Zhilyaev, Davydov / Shipitsin.
Suspensions: none.
Kuban (Sports.ru version): Budakov – Kozlov, Armas, Zelao, Zhavnerchik – Varga, Ne, Tlisov, Kulik, Maximov – L. Traore.
Krasnodar (Sports.ru version): Gorodov – Markov, Amisulashvili, Tubic, Andzhelkovic – Tatarchuk, Kulchiy, Drincic, Joaozinho, Marcio – Movsisyan.
Last matches: = = = + – / = – – + +
Last year’s matches: 3:0 (Krasnodar), 0:1 (Krasnodar).
Odds by Marathon Betting: Kuban – 1.93, draw – 3.53, Krasnodar – 4.35.
Rostov Rostov-on-Don – Rubin Kazan
June 18. Olimp-2 Stadium (Rostov-on-Don), 21.00.
Referee: Alexander Yegorov (Saransk).
Injuries: Radic, Lejsal, O. Ivanov, Boussaidi / Carlos Eduardo, Orekhov, Karadeniz.
Suspensions: Adamov, Khokhlov, Khagush / none.
Rostov (Sports.ru version): Kochenkov – Proshin, Salata, Okoronkwo, Zivanovic – Grigoriev, Blatnjak, Gatcan, Yankov, Cesnauskis – Kirichenko.
Rubin (Sports.ru version): Ryzhikov – Kuzmin, Sharonov, C. Navas, Ansaldi – Ryazantsev, Natkho, Bocchetti, Kasaev, P. Bystrov – Medvedev.
Last matches: – + = – – / = = + = +
Last year’s matches: 0:2 (Rostov-on-Don), 1:2 (Kazan).
Odds by Marathon Betting: Rostov – 4.5, draw – 3.53, Rubin – 1.9.
Lokomotiv Moscow – Spartak Moscow
June 18. Lokomotiv Stadium (Moscow), 21.00.
Referee: Maxim Layushkin (Moscow).
Injuries: Tarasov, Burlak / Ari, McGeady, Ibson.
Suspensions: none.
Lokomotiv (Sports.ru version): Guilherme – Shishkin, Ilic, Durica, Yanbaev – Ignatiev, Loskov, Ozdoev, Torbinsky – Sychev, Maicon.
Spartak (Sports.ru version): Dikan – Parshivlyuk, Rodriguez, Sheshukov, D. Kombarov – K. Kombarov, Makhmudov, R. Carioca, Ananidze – Welliton, Dzyuba.
Last matches: + = – = + / + + – = =
Last year’s matches: 1:2 (Moscow), 2:3 (Moscow).
Odds by Marathon Betting: Lokomotiv – 2.18, draw – 3.4, Spartak – 3.6.