Anzhi Makhachkala v CSKA Moscow Betting Tip

These teams experienced similarly tense seasons during the 2015/16 campaign. Anzhi managed to hang on to their place in the Russian Premier League by beating FNL side Volgar Astrakhan in the relegation/promotion playoff whilst CSKA Moscow secured the Premier League crown on the final day of the season by beating Rubin Kazan after a close title run-in with surprise package FC Rostov.

Like so many Russian clubs, Anzhi have been plagued by problems off the field for a good while now and the days of signing the likes of Roberto Carlos and Samuel Eto’o are long gone. However, perhaps a second successive season back in the top flight and somewhat better financial management can start to put an end to the chaos. Defence was Anzhi’s problem last season as they conceded 50 goals (the joint most in the division) and the reason they stayed up was star-striker Yannick Boli.

The appointment of Pavel Vrba seems an excellent choice on the face of it with his attractive football. However, I think that expansive football is the last thing Anzhi need right now. The Dagestanis have tried to become more stable by signing Cédric Yambéré on loan from Bordeux but I am not sure it will be enough.

CSKA have lost their main man in Ahmed Musa to English Premier League champions Leicester and have replaced him by signing giant striker Lacina Traore on loan from Monaco, other than that there has been very little transfer activity. Having said this, I imagine CSKA will once again be pushing for the title, although as always there are concerns about their ageing defence.

Questions hang over both Anzhi’s and CSKA Moscow’s defence whilst these two teams have good quality going forward. We should see an exciting game with plenty of goals and the value on the market for this type of game is actually pretty good.

It is perhaps a bit unusual to go for three tips on a standard fixture but like I said, there is good value here.

1) CSKA Moscow to win and over 2.5 goals at 2/1 with Betfair

2) CSKA Moscow to win and Both Teams to Score at 10/3 with Bet365

3) Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 goals at 8/5 with William Hill

As previously mentioned I think that there will be goals in this match and both teams should score given their firepower and lack of defensive solidity. However, I think CSKA Moscow the edge in quality and should have enough about them to come out on top.

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