FC Orenburg V Zenit St Petersburg
Sunday 28th July 2019 – 12:00 Kick-Off
Russian Premier League
Pick: Under 2.5 Goals
Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Bet365
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61/10 | 13/5 | 11/20 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 25th July 2019 at 17:28)
Preview: FC Orenburg are desperately hoping to bounce back from successive away defeats here, in what will be their first home fixture of the new season. That is unlikely to be straightforward, though, as standing in their way are the defending champions, Zenit St Petersburg. Can the champs continue their own fine start or will Orenburg finally have something to celebrate? The Gazovik Stadium is the venue.
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Orenburg Preview – Points to flow back at happy hunting ground?
Not the start last season’s surprise package would have envisaged. Then again, their opening schedule always had an intimidating look to it. Unfortunately it doesn’t get any easier, as up next is none other than the reigning champions – an opponent they have a woeful record against, losing all four previous league meetings. Is there any genuine hope of a change in fortunes for Orenburg?
An optimum place to start is their record at home in the past twelve months. Their 7,500-capacity Gazovik Stadium might not be the most imposing of venues but it clearly has something about it, as only four teams were successful in claiming maximum points at the residence of FC Orenburg last season (record at home in 2018-19 season: W7 D4 L4, GF18 GA12). Just five teams posted stronger numbers on their own patch.
However, one of those rare setbacks did occur against their upcoming opponents. In fact, Orenburg are yet to claim a single point from any previous meetings with Zenit, who have won all four previous encounters, all of which were in the past two seasons. Although, the fact Orenburg managed to keep matters close on almost every occasion, losing by a single goal in three out of the four contests, would imply a positive outcome is not beyond the realms of possibility.
If Orenburg are to be celebrating a positive outcome in this fixture, they will need to be quicker out of the blocks than of late. Vladimir Fedotov’s team have found themselves 2-0 down on both league outings so far, which has left them far too much work to do against quality opposition. That seems unlikely to occur again here; Orenburg conceded on just twelve occasions at home in the last campaign, at a rate of less than a goal-per-game.
Zenit Preview – Champs seeking to maintain flawless start?
Business as usual for the defending champs, so far at least. Not that we should be in the slightest bit surprised. Unlike a lot of sides, their early schedule has been gentle to put it mildly, kicking off their title defence against a couple of newly promoted sides. The task at hand doesn’t change a huge amount in their third outing, facing a team that was only promoted to the Russian top tier last season.
You can only beat what is put in front of you, as people often like to preach. For that, Zenit deserve credit. There would also have been a lot of pressure on their shoulders heading into this new season as champions, so to record back-to-back victories over Tambov (2-1) and Sochi (0-2) will have felt very satisfying for manager Sergei Semak.
Zenit were especially impressive last time out, away to Sochi, as they dominated from start to finish and probably should have won by a bigger margin. I banked on them winning with both teams scoring so it was disappointing from a personal perspective. The champions were excellent in fairness to them, restricting their hosts to just one attempt on target the whole match.
A performance of that ilk makes them mighty difficult to oppose here, facing an opponent whom they boast a flawless record of four wins out of four against. Zenit won this fixture 2-1 last season, one of their seven victories recorded on the road (W7 D3 L5). Furthermore, their triumph at Sochi in the previous outing now makes it one loss in the last seven away from home (W3 D3 L1).
Orenburg V Zenit Key Facts:
- Orenburg produced the sixth-best return from home fixtures in last season’s Premier League (W7 D4 L4).
- Zenit displayed more vulnerabilities on their travels last season, winning less than 50% of the time (W7 D3 L5).
- The previous four meetings have all been won by Zenit, who were victorious by a 2-1 scoreline on their most recent visit to Orenburg.
Betting Summary
Defeats in their opening two games, both away from home, should provide Orenburg with newfound appreciation for being back on home territory. Unfortunately, though, their first fixture in front of their own fans is against the champions. A strong record at home last season (W7 D4 L4) means they cannot be ruled out here, although defeats in all four previous meetings with Zenit isn’t easy to overlook.
Zenit produced professional displays against Tambov (2-1) and Sochi (0-2), overcoming the promoted duo without too much bother. Their head-to-head record with this opponent is perhaps ominous, and Zenit have only lost one of their last seven on the road now. However, their record away from home last season remained indifferent (W7 D3 L5).
Both meetings last season featured goals for both sides. The numbers, however, put a dampener on the prospects of a repeat occurring. Just 33% of Orenburg’s home games in 2018-19 produced Over 2.5 Goals, with that figure dropping further still to 27% for Zenit’s away matches. Under 2.5 Goals is among my least favourite bet types but, on this particular occasion, it makes some sense.
