This fixture is one of the last matches of the opening weekend of the Russian Premier League season and sees Valery Petrakov’s Tom Tomsk side travel all the way to Krasnodar near the Black Sea – 4,246km
Many are tipping Krasnodar for a top 3 finish this season after a good 2015/16 campaign and they have already recorded a convincing win in their first competitive game this season – a 3-0 win over Maltese side Birkirkara. Fedor Smolov carried on his excellent form from last season with another goal despite a disappointing Euro 2016 with the Russian national team – although he was being played out of position.
I think Tom Tomsk are the most likely of the promoted sides to survive in the Russian Premier League this season. They already had an experienced squad and have added to it further with the signings of Vitaly Djakov and Kirill Kombarov from Dynamo and Spartak Moscow respectively.
Although the Siberians seem sound defensively I think Krasnodar will come out on top thanks to their surperior attacking talent and the fact they are at home.
However there is (unsurprisingly) no value in backing them. I think this most reliable bet is Fedor Smolov to score anytime as, although it does not have a great return, he is the most likely to find the back of the net on Monday.
See more tips here.