Dynamo Moscow Form
Rolan Gusev has quickly turned Dynamo Moscow into a goal machine. The hosts have scored in each of their last seven league rounds, and on four of those occasions they have put three or more goals past their opponents (including a 4:0 demolition of Krylya Sovetov Samara and a 4:1 win over CSKA Moscow). At home the team have been inconsistent, collecting 16 points from 12 rounds, but their record against Rubin Kazan is much stronger: three consecutive home wins over the visitors with an aggregate score of 6:1.
Key numbers for Dynamo Moscow:
Both teams to score – Yes has landed in 6 of the last 10 matches under Gusev.
Dynamo Moscow average 5.7 corners per match (the best figure in the Russian Premier League).
Five of the last seven Russian Premier League matches involving the team have produced more than three goals.
Probable lineup (4-2-3-1): Andrey Lunev — Juan Caceres, Nicolas Marichal, Maksim Osipenko, Dmitriy Skopintsev — Daniil Fomin, Timofey Marinkin — Artur Gomes, Bitello, Moumi Ngamaleu — Konstantin Tyukavin.
Out: Dmitriy Aleksandrov, Bakhtiyor Zainutdinov, Rubens, Roberto Fernandez (injuries).
Rubin Kazan Form
Frank Artiga has proved the sceptics wrong, showing that his appointment at Rubin Kazan was no mistake. The Spaniard has stabilised the team, turning them into a very awkward opponent for the top clubs (with wins over Krasnodar 2:1 and Lokomotiv Moscow 3:0). However, there are two caveats. First, the side are very much a home team: they have managed only 2 wins in 12 away rounds. Second, the selection problems before the trip to Moscow are critical, as attacking talisman Mirlind Daku and key defender Alexey Teslenko are both suspended after accumulating yellow cards.
Key numbers for Rubin Kazan:
Rubin Kazan have picked up 58 yellow cards this season (the sixth-highest figure in the Russian Premier League).
The club average 3.7 corners per match (the third-worst figure in the league).
In 12 away matches this season the team have scored only nine goals (only Pari Nizhny Novgorod and Dinamo Makhachkala are worse).
Probable lineup (5-4-1): Evgeniy Staver — Ilya Rozhkov, Anderson Arroyo, Denil Maldonado, Igor Vujacic, Nikita Lobov — Dardan Shabanhaxhaj, Ignacio Saavedra, Veldin Hodza, Nazmi Gripshi — Jacques Siwe.
Out: Ugochukwu Iwu, Aleksandar Jukic, Anton Shvets (injuries), Mirlind Daku, Egor Teslenko (suspensions).
