This promotion/relegation playoff was a close affair in the first leg as Premier League side Kuban Krasnodar edged a 1-0 win courtesy of an Igor Armaș penalty. The statistics from the match were also fairly evenly matched in terms of shots (Kuban 8, Tom 6) as well as corners, where both sides had six each. While the Toads managed to secure a precious home victory, their Siberian competitors will be confident of turning that around when they meet again tomorrow night at Trud Stadium.
Perhaps I was unwise to tip a Tom win for the first leg but I will certainly be backing them again. Their home form has been outstanding this season and if their away form had matched it, they would no doubt have been promoted automatically.
Kuban on the other hand have been woeful away from home in recent weeks, picking up only four points out of a possible 21 on their travels.
To have a side in form at home at 6/5 represents good value and I would back the FNL team against their more glamorous counterparts.