Faith in Spartak unwavering
Off the back of a disappointing defeat on matchday one Spartak Moscow travel to the Samara Arena to face newly promoted Krylya Sovetov Samara. The wing twins of Victor Moses and Quincy Promes were unsuccessful in their first mission but showed signs that they will be effective and plenty of Russian Premier League sides will feel their wrath this season. Samara too left empty handed from their season opener, going down 2-1 at home to Akhmat Grozny, the visitors come in as strong favourites but in their determination to make up for the loss last time out, there is a crumb of value.
Background
Moses and Promes both had two shots against Rubin Kazan, almost accounting for half of the team’s shot count. Their intentions are clear once they get on the ball, Igor Osinkin will be preparing his players for the threat they pose. It was a frustrating first runout for the 2020/21 runners up. 27-year-old centre back Georgiy Dzhikiya was Spartak’s highest rated outfield player according to WhoScored.com in the 1-0 defeat, the 36-time Russia international will be a key cog in competing at the top end of the table this season.
Samara were rampant in winning promotion to the Russian Premier League last season, Ivan Sergeev slammed home 40 league goals as they posted 101 points to firmly reinstate themselves in the topflight of Russian football at the first time of asking. Danil Lipovoy has come in from Dynamo Moscow on the right flank, hoping he can combine well with Sergeev for Samara to consolidate their topflight status this season.
Rubin Kazan away was always going to be a difficult season opener for Spartak, however there is a weight of expectation that they get the job done this time around. An occasion that high profile players like Moses and Promes should rise to, looking to open their account for the season or lay one on for Alexander Sobolev.
Spartak are rightful favourites and are not too short to find some value, particularly with Betway. I am happy to them on the nose at a smaller price, expecting them the get over the line to kickstart their season.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Our faith was repaid, an Alexander Sobolev penalty gets us over the line, 1-0.