On Sunday evening, Krasnodar and Rostov go head-to-head at the Stadion FK Krasnodar, as both teams look to push up the table in the Russian Premier League.
Both teams have kicked off the new league campaign in an inconsistent fashion. Rostov have picked up nine points, while the home team have collected just seven points from a possible 15 in the Premier League.
Krasnodar finished third place in the table last season and will feel that another European finish is not beyond them this campaign. However, just two wins from their opening five league games is not a great record. A 1-1 home draw with CSKA Moscow last time out means that the home side has won just once in their last four Premier League outings.
Their recent league outings have been tight, low-scoring affairs, with under 2.5 goals scored in their last four matches in the Premier League.
Krasnodar’s recent home record in the Russian top-flight has been inconsistent too, as they have won just three of their last six matches on home soil. Krasnodar have been relatively prolific at home in the Russian top-flight of late, having scored at least two goals in five of their last seven home games.
Rostov head into this game just two points better off than their hosts. However, if results go their way this weekend the visitors could finish the gameweek second in the Premier League.
The visitors could not have endured a more inconsistent start to their league campaign, having collected three wins and suffered two defeats. A 1-0 win over Ural last time out means that they have now recorded back-to-back league wins.
Their away form is not as positive though, as Rostov have won just two of their previous eight away games in the Russian top-flight.
Forebet predicts that this game will end in a low-scoring draw, which will come as little surprise as the two teams are relatively well matched.