Russian League
2010-05-16 - Zenit St. Petersburg vs Sibir Novosibirsk
A Sports Betting Pick by Pantocrator
Football: Russian Cup Final
Sunday, 16th May 2010. Kickoff 12:00
The final of the Russian Cup will be staged for the first time outside Moscow.
The Russian Football Federation decided that te "Olimp-2" stadium in Rostov-na-Donu would be the venue for Zenit Saint Petersburg vs. Sibir Novosibirsk fixture.
Final overview
This is an interesting decision which means the set kick-off time - 14:00 will bring hot weather. Since Rostov is a southern city a temperature of around +30 Celcius is expected. But, as always everything in Russian football is done in television's favor.
First federal channel is capable to put the broadcast in the middle of the day - players and spectators' comfort is of no interest. Would be too naive to boil over this fact anyway.
Zenit is highly regarded as the best team in Russia at the moment. Their current strength, in my opinion, still has some capped depth.
Just so happens that dreadful form of Zenit's competitors
in the first half of the season creates an illusion of St. Petersburg's invincibility.
They're indeed unbeaten after 11 rounds and enjoy a threatening defensive record. Zenit concedes goals only from set piece situations.
Their path to the final was stanched by the massive elimination of Premier League sides at the stage of last 16. Eventually Zenit had to face a Division 2 club (3rd strongest league in country) in the semifinal.
I will not scare you with any unnecessary names. Luciano Spalletti is only bothered by the injury of left winger Danko Lazovic, albeit the Serbian international insisted he could be fit in time for the final. The rest of the squad is ready to bring home the trophy.
Zenit will feel like at home in Rostov-na-Donu as according to the press reports around 5k supporters are expected to make a landing at the stadium. Sibir fans, on the other hand, should surely be outnumbered.
Club from Novosibirsk has already written a new page in its history by qualifying to the finals. It automatically grants them a place in Europa League next fall.
This is a remarkable achievment for a newly promoted side.
Sibir enjoyed a very fortunate draw, which saw them welcome First Division outfit Luch-Energia (1/4 finals) and then Alanya (semifinals) in Novosibirsk. Both teams were dismantled with identical 3-0 scoreline.
Sibir is weakened by the absence of creative winger Zinoviev and striker Antipenko.
Betting advice
Zenit has a huge advantage in this tie, but a final is still a final - with a particle of unpredictability.
What I do think is inevitable here - is a big number of goals. Sibir is a very joyful side with not enough organisation in the back line.
After conceding they will obviously push forward and should be punished a couple or more times.
