Sochi Vs Rotor Volgograd
Sochi Vs Rotor Volgograd Friday 7th May 2021 – 18:00
Russian Premier League
Pick: Sochi Win To Nil
Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: BetVictor
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 4th May 2021)
Preview: Fifth-place hosts third-from-bottom at the Fisht Olympic Stadium this Friday. Can Sochi make it four straight wins at the expense of relegation-threatened Rotor Volgograd, who are no doubt keen to avoid a sixth loss in seven away outings in the Russian Premier League.
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Table of Contents
Sochi – Three points imperative for top-four aspirations?
The destination of this season’s Premier League title may have taken a rather predictable route through St Petersburg, where Zenit were crowned Russian league champions for a third season in a row this past weekend, but there remains plenty of intriguing sub-plots elsewhere. None more so, perhaps, than the tussle for European qualification, with Sochi (W14 D7 L7) among the protagonists.
Only the top four positions award European football. So, as things stand, Sochi are set to miss out. Vladimir Fedotov’s side sit fifth with 48 points accrued after 28 games. As many as fourth-placed Rubin Kazan, who boast a superior head-to-head record, but two more than that of CSKA Moscow. Finishing above the latter, once the dominant force in Russian football, would be a fine achievement in itself.
Sochi are the ones finishing the stronger, though, scoring twice late on in Krasnodar last time to make it three wins in as many games having also claimed the scalp of CSKA in their most recent outing at Fisht Olympic Stadium. It is here they boast a formidable record over the course of 2020/21: only Lokomotiv Moscow and Zenit recording more home wins than their nine, with five of the last six being ‘to nil’.
Rotor Volgograd – Recent success inspires hope of great escape?
Equally as engrossing is the desperate battle to avoid demotion to the Football National League, the second tier of Russia’s football pyramid. Tambov are already resigned to that fate. This leaves one more automatic relegation, along with two relegation play-offs, berths to fight over. With Arsenal Tula, FC Ufa and Rotor Volgograd separated by a mere two points, survival seems set to go right down to the wire.
Until last weekend’s slender 1-0 victory at home to Akhmat Grozny, Rotor Volgograd appeared destined for a swift return to the league below. Having only recently returned following a 16-year absence last summer. Consequently, those three points – their first since the end of February, losing six successive matches beforehand – has lifted Yuri Baturenko’s men above FC Ufa and into the play-offs.
With their destiny now in their own hands, this team can approach their final two encounters – away to the teams in fourth and fifth – with renewed vigour. That is just as well because their record thus far away from home (W2 D4 L7) is among the worst around, losing five of the past six said matches. This includes each of the last three, beaten ‘to nil’ by FC Ufa, CSKA Moscow and Zenit.
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Sochi Vs Rotor Volgograd Betting Advice
Considering there is a gulf of nine places and 28 points in the Russian Premier League standings, it comes as no surprise that Sochi are short-priced favourites to oblige. Moreover, the hosts are usually reliable in front of their own fans. Only the recently crowned champions Zenit have accumulated more points from home matches than Sochi, who boast wins in six of the last seven matches played at their ground.
Sochi Vs Rotor Volgograd – Key Facts:
- A goal in either halve secured a 2-1 victory for Sochi on their visit to Volgograd earlier in the season. Sochi winning two of the pair’s three prior meetings (D1).
- All three previous encounters between these sides saw both teams score. Sochi don’t tend to concede many at home, though, with clean sheets in five of their past six home games.
- Neither can Rotor Volgograd be relied upon to find the net on their travels, doing so in just five of 13 away Premier League games thus far – and only once in the last seven.
Five of the previous six home wins for Sochi, meanwhile, were without allowing the visitors a goal. This, coupled with the fact Friday’s guests are among the worst travellers in the Premier League, suggests we could witness another Home Win To Nil. Rotor Volgograd fired a blank in eight of thirteen away matches this season, losing to nil in five of the past six said matches.
Best Betting Odds – Sochi Vs Rotor Volgograd
Sochi – 2/5 (BetVictor)
Draw – 7/2 (Betway)
Rotor Volgograd – 13/2 (Betfair)
