Football Results

The Madrilenians have started the new season in the Champions League in the best possible way as they won Roma 3-0 at home, while the Muscovites drew in Plzen 2-2.

CSKA Moscow

CSKA was lagging behind for two goals in Plzen but it managed to equalise thanks to goals scored by Chalov 49’ and Vlasic 95’and we can freely say that was very lucky at the start of the group phase. At the same time no one should forget that the Muscovites lost just one out of 11 in total matches played so far this season. They lost at home to Rostov in the Russian Premier League, where large number of draws cost them better place than the current fourth is.

Still, manager Goncharenko can be very pleased with current form of his team as they won three and drew one out of last four league matches and in the same period drew away with Plzen in the Champions League. All that was achieved despite serious problems with absences given that at the list of injured are names of defenders Vasin and Magnusson, midfielders Bistrovic, Kuchaev and Khosonov, and forwards Hernandez and Makarov.

Probable lineups CSKA Moscow: Akinfeev – Fernandes, Becao, Chernov, Nababkin – Bijol – Vlasic, Akhmetov, Dzagoev, Oblyakov – Chalov

Real Madrid

Unlike the Muscovites who play much better lately, Real Madrid players didn’t justify their reputation in last two La Liga matches. In the first one they were outclassed by Sevilla 3-0 away, while last weekend they drew 0-0 city derby with Atletico played at the Santiago Bernabeu. Still, thanks to Barcelona’s mishap the two leading teams in the table have the same number of points, while the third place Sevilla has one point fewer.

On the other hand, in the first round of the Champions League Real won Roma 3-0 at home, which allows it to play more relaxed the away match in Moscow. We expect many changes in Real team as manager Lopetegui insists that Navas had advantage over Courtois in Champions League matches, while out of action due to injuries are defender Marcelo, midfielder Isco and forward Bale, while defender Carvajal, midfielder Modric and forward Benzema might get day off.

Probable lineups Real Madrid: Navas – Odriozola, Ramos, Varane, Nacho – Kroos, Casemiro, Ceballos – Vazquez, Diaz, Asensio

Verdict:

Of course, reigning champion of Europe, Real Madrid is definitely a great favourite to win the match but current shape of both teams suggest that they might have plenty of problems in Moscow, which is why we have opted for a pick with fewer goals.

Pick: under 3 goals 1.75 - 75/100 @1XBet