Arsenal Tula Vs FC Khimki
Arsenal Tula Vs FC Khimki Tuesday 25 August 2020 – 18:30 Kick-Off
Russian Premier League
Pick: Both Teams to score
Odds: 11/8
Bookmaker: Betfair
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 23 August 2020)
Preview: An opportunity for a winless FC Khimki to claim their first set of three points since earning promotion, facing an Arsenal Tula side whose suspect home record since the start of last season leaves them vulnerable to the potential of an upset at their Arsenal Stadium.
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Table of Contents
Arsenal Tula – Can they kick on after clinching first win of the season?
In theory, the hosts should be the fresher of the two sides. This is because the amount of time and energy expended on travel so far has been minimal. Tuesday’s clash, versus last season’s runners-up from the FNL, is all set to be their fourth run out of the season at the appropriately named Arsenal Stadium, so a subsequent return of four points from a possible twelve is very disappointing from Arsenal Tula (11th – W1 D1 L2).
Arsenal only had a point to their name after three games, though, following up underwhelming displays at home to Akhmat Grozny (0-0) and FC Ufa (2-3) – contriving to concede three times versus the latter, who were comfortably the lowest scorers in the Premier League last term – by going down to a 2-0 defeat away in Krasnodar. It was something of a relief, then, when they finally banked their first win last time out.
A brace from Daniil Lesovoy, the promising 22-year-old who has recently made his switch from Zenit permanent after spending the previous two seasons on loan in Tula, sealed an impressive 2-0 victory over a previously unbeaten Dynamo Moscow. The win marked only their second at home in eight (W2 D1 L5) – a rather peculiar run considering they’ve now netted two or more in five of the last seven said matches.
Khimki Preview – First win of the season proving elusive?
It hasn’t quite been the magical return to Russia’s top table that the club and its loyal supporters had dreamt about ever since their promotion was announced following the early curtailment of the 2019-20 FNL season. After an 11-year hiatus, FC Khimki (15th – W0 D1 L3) are back in the Premier League, but not with a bang. Four games in and they remain one of only two sides still to register a win.
They came the closest yet, though, last time out. Hosting an Akhmat Grozny who were fortunate to avoid the drop at the end of last season, Khimki would take the lead midway through the first half only to surrender that advantage, as well as any notion of a maiden win, during the ensuing chaos after the break. A missed penalty, two red cards and conceding twice in as many minutes condemning them to a 2-1 defeat.
To compound their woes, both Brian Idowu and Kirill Bozhenov were shown red cards and must serve suspensions. That is two key defensive personnel manager Dimitri Gunko must do without for the visit to Tula, where the host’s recent record offers up enough encouragement. However, Khimki were hardly reliable on their travels in 2019-20, winning five of fourteen away matches (W5 D6 L3) against inferior opposition.
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Arsenal Tula Vs FC Khimki Betting Advice
Boasting greater experience, as well as a recent win to boost the morale of the side, has convinced bookmakers to price Arsenal Tula up as firm favourites. It makes sense, especially with Khimki now without a couple of important defensive personnel having also made a poor start on their long-awaited Premier League return. A word of caution, though: the hosts have only managed two wins across their previous eight PL games.
Arsenal Tula Vs FC Khimki – Key Facts
- Across their previous eight league games played at home, Arsenal Tula came out on the winning side twice (W2 D1 L5).
- In their last eight away games (6 in the Russian FNL and 2 in the Premier League) FC Khimki have recorded only one win (W1 D4 L3).
- Tuesday’s meeting will mark the first between the two clubs since Arsenal Tula were 2-0 winners in a 2015 friendly encounter. They’ve never met in the Premier League before.
Arsenal Tula have netted in six of their past seven matches at home, scoring exactly two goals on four occasions during this sequence whilst only keeping the two clean sheets. The latter statistic, in particular, means there is a realistic chance of Khimki, who averaged a respectable 1.57 goals per away game in last season’s second tier, adding to their modest overall sum of two goals so far this season.
Best Betting Odds – Arsenal Tula Vs FC Khimki
Arsenal Tula – 21/20 (Betfair)
Draw – 9/4 (Betway)
FC Khimki – 3/1 (Bet365)
