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The surprise package in Russian football last season, FK Rostov, will make their Champions League debut against Belgian giants Anderlecht, with the first leg to be played in Russia.
The hosts had a truly amazing season last year, finishing on the second place in the league, just 2 points behind winners CSKA Moscow. Rostov relies on a solid and almost unbreakable defense, the best in the league last season, allowing just 20 goals in 30 matches. They play slow, pragmatic football and rely on young Iranian star Azmoun (whom they just signed on a permanent deal from Rubin) to create something upfront. Despite all the success, Rostov struggled with finances at times and they are not quite in the best situation right now, with the team in real danger of being ejected from the Champions League due to some problems with the financial fair play rule.
Anderlecht failed to win anything last season, finishing 3rd in the league, 9 points behind Champions Brugge and also lost early in the Cup. On the bright side, they performed above expectations in Europe, reaching the Round of 16 – knocking out (in an ultra lucky fashion) Olympiakos, before being battered by Shakhtar. Anderlecht took measures to avoid another bad season, making some signings in the summer, but they don`t seem much improved.
Place your bet on FK Rostov – Anderlecht with the highest odds at 1xBet.com now!
Lineups:
FK Rostov: Dzhanaev – Margasov, Novoseltsev, Bastos, Kudryashov – Noboa, Gatcan- Kalachev, Erokhin, Poloz – Azmoun
Anderlecht: Roef – Appiah, Nuytinck, De Maio, N’Sakala – Dendoncker, Defour – Hanni, Tielemans, Chipciu Sylla
Neither team is playing competitive football right now, their leagues have not started so nobody has an advantage in this regard.
Anderlecht is a high scoring team, but they are not the ones that will impose the rhythm in this match. Rostov plays at home, which will be an even bigger advantage against a Western team like Anderlecht. They should be able to set their own tempo, slowing the game down and closing spaces. With this in mind, I believe a low scoring game is to be expected, with Rostov a favorite to snatch a close win.
I think a bet against goals is the best way to go here, even though I like Rostov to win there`s a chance they could be affected by the uncertainty looming over the club, so I will go with the bet that makes most sense: a low scoring game to occur.
Odds for under 2,5 goals are very low, but the price is better on the both to score market. My tip will be Both teams to score – No. Prediction: FK Rostov – Anderlecht 1-0.
Pick: Both teams to score – No
Odds: 1.78 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.24
Event date: 26 July
