Champions League
2010-07-21 - Olimpi Rustavi vs Aktobe
A Sports Betting Pick by Pantocrator
Football : Champions League : 2nd Qualifying round, 2nd leg.
First match (0-1)
Wednesday, 21st July 2010. Kickoff 16:00
Olimpi Rustavi (Georgia)
8 new players in the starting line up could not have gone unnoticed for Olimpi. Georgian champions never the less had a nice, but unfortunate, game in Kazachstan and now face a mission impossible when they attempt to overcome the 2 goal deficit from the first leg. Olimpi is with a full squad and little hope for a positive outcome.
As the financial crisis severely struck Olimpi head coach Makharadze even had to update the formation to 4-3-3 from the more common 4-4-2. Georgian football school is known for its’ emphasis on players’ technical abilities.
Olimpi is a typical example of what you would put into the word “Georgian football” – quick, small, selfish footballers with above average technical abilities. Often suffer from poor discipline and lack of concentration let that be in front of own or opponents’ goal.
Aktobe (Kazachstan)
Aktobe travel to Georgia with a comfortable lead after the first leg in Kazachstan. They still have serious problems in the back line where Chichulin and Logvinenko are unavailable. Emil’ Kenzhisariev is back after suspension though. The starting line-up should be the same as in the first match.
Due to the absence of injured Logvinenko and Chichulin they have been covered by Cameroonians Ba and Bono, which makes the defensive line easier to hurt. This did not give an advantage to Olimpi though. After the departure of crucial attacker Strukov Aktobe virtually has alternatives in offensive line to Essomba and Peric.
Betting advice
Olimpi has no other option but to go ahead and hurt the opposition. Lack of proper team play puts a huge question-mark upon their game plan and chances. If the fast-break tactics almost worked out in Kazachstan, then home in Rustavi they would be forced to dictate the proceedings.
A single away goal could have made a big difference for Olimpi
Vladimir Mukhanov (Aktobe) expressed his plans to play for the win in Georgia. FC Aktobe scored both goals from set-piece situations in the first game, which illustrates how difficult it was for them to break the opponents up. Visitors will aim not to give the initiative away and keep control of the ball.
Having said all of the above I see value in the over 2.5 goal option.
