Lokomotiv M vs CSKA M. Match preview

Russia - Premier League: Lokomotiv M vs CSKA M.

Before the start of the championship there were people who could bet that this duel between city rivals will decide the top. But those were mere wishes of the fans, Lokomotiv are in the midtable while CSKA can hardly join the title race, considering that they are ten points behind Rubin. We should mention that both teams showed there unpredictability during the championship, that both sides showed unstable form. They clearly have a certain quality but unlike leading team they are not capable of demonstrating it week after week. Lokomotiv are in a more difficult situation, with 25 points and a game in hand but coach Rakhimov’s post is shaky. In the last three rounds his side took only one point so it is clear that their sponsors are not satisfied. When Lokomotiv ended seventh last year, everyone paid for it including coach Sjomin.

Moscow side complained about the referees in Grozny

The loss to Terek was painful for everyone on the club, coach Rakhimov was disappointed with such outcome but also with the reception in Chechnya, stating that each club would loose at Bilihmanov stadium with such referee decisions. Young coach admitted that second place contention will remain just a dream. The only encouraging thing is that players like Odemwingi who was at the Olympics as well as Spahic and Bijaletdinov are coming back. All of them missed the duel in Grozny. In the previous matches, Lokomotiv’s inability to break catenaccio was obvious, for example against Saturn in one of their weakest games this season, also in Samara where they were matching rivals, to say the least, but they ended up conceding goals in stoppage time. They had many calamities, they lost a convincing lead several times and it seems that they still deserve better than midtable. But the final result is what counts.

CSKA disappointed in Nalchik

After winning Saturn and Terek, army-men were expected to start a positive run that would launch them to the top. This didn’t happen; CSKA even seemed uninterested at moments. They didn’t create any real chance; actually keepers Homic and Akinfeev were bored, just as 12 000 home fans were. And while a draw suited Spartak, we are not so sure what CSKA got with that point. They are still far from second, UEFA Cup spot is already reserved by winning the Russian cup. The squad was slow, clueless, Love was cut off in the attack, and the absence of Krasic was obvious. Even Gazzaev himself hasn’t got the clue what is going on with his team; they are completely unpredictable. We have seen them in their best performance when they ran over Spartak but also in desperate games like against Moscow.

Betting Verdict

It is very hard to predict the final outcome of this game. Both sides have their weapons; Lokomotiv will try to use the return of their bets players while CSKA's roster is the best. If we get back on the clash form the first part of the season when the match at Luzhniki ended scoreless, the railroaders seemed in better form but CSKA were closer to victory. Undoubtedly, this is the most uncertain match in the 20th round. One of the options are goals but the inefficiency of the rivals makes us think twice. Try betting on a draw at halftime, we usually see a cautious play in the first half in Russian derbies.

Our tip: Bet 5 on Draw at halftime
Odds 1.9 at
Bookmaker: Bet365