Krasnodar
- Krasnodar are justifying their favourites status to win the Russian Premier League this term with around 40 points from 18 matches and they hold a few-point advantage over CSKA, who are just inside the top four.
- Murad Musayev has got his team playing the best soccer in the division with a progressive, possession-based approach that has seen them integrate plenty of young talent.
- Krasnodar are coming into this game with some real momentum, having scored at least two goals in each of their last three league games.
- Krasnodar have won three of their last five RPL games including a 5 - 0 win over Krylia Sovetov.
CSKA
- CSKA's recent form is solid.
- Fabio Celestini is a continental-style manager with a highly structured approach that has kept CSKA in games while being just as solid at the back.
- CSKA have looked solid rather than explosive in competitive action.
- CSKA beat Orenburg 2 - 0 in their most recent competitive game.
Head-to-Head
- Four of the last five meetings between the two clubs have been decided by one goal or finished tied.
- Krasnodar beat CSKA 3-2 in the last RPL meeting, and the fixture has produced narrow results recently.
Krasnodar
- Jhon Córdoba has been a consistent threat up front for Krasnodar with eight league goals and plenty of physicality to trouble defenders.
- Eduard Spertsyan is the creative hub, ranking among the top assist providers in the RPL and is always a threat from set pieces or when he gets into advanced positions.
CSKA
CSKA have been a little more direct in their approach, with Kirill Glebov able to get the ball to the front two or three with his direct pace while Matvey Kislyak and Tamerlan Musaev are good finishers.
Betting Insights
- Krasnodar are slight favorites at 2.6, but CSKA are 2.78 and the draw is 3.62, so there’s not much between the clubs.
- We’re getting odds of 1.96 on the Under 2.5 Goals market, which is worth a play as long as CSKA keep it tight at the back.
- CSKA’s high tempo is very different to Krasnodar’s patient build-up and this game could be decided by which club imposes its rhythm on the other.
Prediction
- We are going with the draw in this semi-final first-leg as the safest play on Wednesday, with the draw also quite appealing.
- The early March weather could be cold and the pitch tricky for both, so CSKA’s direct style could be better suited while set pieces could be crucial in what could be a game of few chances.
