Zenit vs Rubin Kazan tips and predictions

Rubin Kazan won't hurt Zenit?

It's first placed Zenit welcoming ninth placed Rubin Kazan in this Premier League clash as the home team looks to add distance to the 17-point gap that separates the sides.

This is an unconfident view as there's not a huge amount to go on. It's difficult to see anything apart from a comfortable home win but the short price is not hugely attractive. Rubin Kazan are likely to fall short against this side though.

The hosts are going into the match having put 14 wins in the bag from their last 20 games.

The home side's defence could be the difference between the teams. They'll see this as an opportunity to keep a clean sheet; they have conceded no more than once in 19 of their last 20 games. While the hosts have weathered recent storms, they're facing a side that has been stretched in defence. Rubin Kazan have conceded at least once in all of their last 6 assignments. On top of that, some parts of the attacking displays by the visitors have been lacking quality. It might be revealing that they've averaged just 0.6 goals in their last 17 matches.

Zenit have won 13 of the last 18 fixtures between these sides before this one.

Don't be disappointed if one of these sides attempts to lock this game down due to the massive favouritism for Zenit. The BTTS No could be fair.