CSKA Moscow – FC Krasnodar. Thomas Giles’ prediction

This should be a great match that sees two of the three top goalscorers in the Russian Premier League go head-to-head for a place in the final of the Russian cup.

CSKA are the home team tonight and their last match at Arena Khimki was a 7-1 thrashing of Mordovia to keep up their excellent home record and, in Ahmed Musa, they have a player in form with three goals and two assists in the last four games.
However, Krasnodar have won their last three away games so will fancy their chances away in Moscow tonight.

Krasnodar are a side with excellent attacking options including current Russian Premier League top goalscorer Fyodor Smolov. The former Dinamo man has 6 goals in his last 4 games and will look to impress Leonid Slutsky, the CSKA Moscow and Russia manager, to ensure that he starts as Russia’s first choice striker at the upcoming European Championships.

Both of these teams look to outscore their opposition rather than defend and hope for a goal on the counter. With that in mind I would definitely back both teams to score tonight at 1.90.

In terms of a result, I would back Krasnodar. CSKA will most likely rotate their squad for tonight’s game with important fixtures coming up in the league as they look to challenge Rostov for the title. Krasnodar have easier league fixtures in the next couple of weeks and will see that as a chance to put their all into the Russian Cup.

Krasnodar to win and both teams to score @ 9.50 with Bet365.