The Matchday 3 clash in the Russian Premier League between Rubin and Sochi will take place on August 4 at the Ak Bars Arena in Kazan. Rubin vs. Sochi: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Rubin
Rashid Rakhimov's side showed character in their last league match. The team hosted Zenit and was trailing 0-2 by halftime. However, in the second half, Kazan managed to turn the match around and secured a 2-2 draw. After two rounds, the club has accumulated 4 points and is in 4th place.
- Rubin has not lost in 7 of their last 10 Russian Premier League matches (5 wins and 2 draws).
- Both teams scored in 6 of Rubin's last 8 league games.
- At least 3 goals have been scored in 6 of the club's last 8 Premier League matches.
Predicted lineup for Rubin (5-3-2)
Yevgeny Staver – Ilya Rozhkov, Yegor Teslenko, Igor Vujacic, Alexei Gritsaenko, Dmitry Kabutov – Veldin Hodja, Ugochukwu Iwu, Bogdan Yochich – Dardan Shabanhadjaj, Mirlin Daku.
Sochi
The club has had the worst start to the new season. After a heavy 0-3 away defeat against Lokomotiv in the first round, the team hosted Akron and suffered a 0-4 loss. Interestingly, all four goals were conceded in the first half. This defeat was the third for Sochi in their last four Premier League matches. Notably, after two rounds, only four teams remain without a single point in the league.
- At least three goals have been scored in 5 of the club's last 6 Premier League matches.
- Sochi has scored in 9 of their last 13 Russian Premier League matches.
- The club has failed to win the first half in their last 9 consecutive away league matches (4 draws and 5 defeats).
Predicted lineup for Sochi (4-4-2)
Alexander Dyogtev – Kirill Zaika, Artem Makarchuk, Marcelo Alves, Alexander Osipov – Ignacio Saavedra, Alexander Kovalenko, Anton Zinkovsky, Roman Yezhov – Saul Guarirapa, Martin Kramaric.
Forward Pavel Meleshin is out due to injury. Midfielder Maxim Mukhin has joined the squad.
Rubin vs. Sochi: Match Prediction
Roberto Moreno's side has just returned to the Russian Premier League after a year in the First League. In the 2023/24 Premier League season, Sochi suffered 16 defeats in 30 matches. However, they only lost heavily twice then, whereas in the current season, they have already suffered two heavy losses.
In the previous season, Sochi failed to beat Kazan in the league. At home, they lost 0-2, while away, they drew 1-1. Additionally, in the last five head-to-head encounters in the Premier League, Rubin has defeated this opponent three times.
Considering the above, along with Kazan's current good form, I favor the hosts in the upcoming match, who have secured 7 wins and 1 draw in their last 8 home Premier League games. My prediction: Rubin to Win
