1st Vs 2nd in the Russian Prem
There is a European top of the table clash going under the radar with the enthralling Champions League and Europa League action we have been exposed to in the last week. Zenit St. Petersburg are currently leading the Russian Premier League in pushing for a third successive league title, they host second placed CSKA Moscow on Wednesday evening in the third matchday of the campaign. The Lions are unbeaten in their last three meetings with CSKA, winning 4-0 and 3-1 with a 1-1 stalemate sandwiched in between. The side from the capital are underdogs but come into the game having won three on the bounce.
Last time out
Zenit had to work hard to take three points in their last match, scoring in each half to defeat Rostov 2-0. Iran international Sardar Azmoun grabbed the opener on 23 minutes before new signing Dejan Lovren bagged his first goal for the club to clinch the victory a few minutes from time. The 31-year-old World Cup finalist and Champions League winner joined from Premier League champions Liverpool for just over £10million and will sure up the defence after the recent departure of Branislav Ivanovic.
The Horses edged past Tambov who survived a season long relegation battle in 2019/20 last time out. Winning the expected goals battle by only 0.24 xG according to Understat. Attacking midfielder Konstantin Kuchaev scored for the second game in a row, with CSKA finding the net twice just as they did in the opening match against newly promoted Khimki.
Ones to watch
Sergei Semak boasts the best attacking duo in the Russian Premier League in skillful forward Azmoun and physical battering ram Artem Dzyuba. They both scored 17 goals in the league last term, joint top of the scoring charts, Dzyuba has five goals in his last six however was absent from the squad in the Rostov triumph.
Now an established trailblazer of Russian football at 25, Azmoun is the standout player from this fixture. Having played for Rostov and Kazan prior to switching to Zenit, the most successful Russian club in the last few years, he has scored 60 goals and assisted 28 in 171 domestic outings. Also, a proven asset on the international stage, his goals per game ratio is outstanding having bagged 31 goals from 48 caps from Iran. Azmoun could be a good shout in an anytime goalscorer bet.
Zenit are a cut above the rest in Russia, and CSKA’s good start has been more through grit and desire than on pitch quality.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-1 Zenit, get in. Azmoun got both as we take the W.