CSKA Moscow vs. Lokomotiv Moscow 7/31/21 Russian Premier League Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

CSKA Moscow is hosting Lokomotiv Moscow at VEB Arena in the Moscow derby of round 2 in the Russian Premier League. CSKA has started this season with a home win, and they are now on a 4-game winning streak. After losing the Russia Super Cup to Zenit, Lokomotiv is back on the winning track in the Russian Premier League.

CSKA has started the last season in a good way as well, but then they sunk far from the top. In their first game of the season, CSKA was hosting Ufa, and they have had 49% of ball possession, 6 shots on goal, 13 corner kicks, 2 big chances created, and 81% of the correct passes. With a goal in the 61^st minute, CSKA has won this game 1-0. There haven’t been any notable arrivals or departures to CSKA in the offseason, but there are still some rumors that their best player Nikola Vlasic is leaving for Milan. CSKA is one of the best Russian teams, they have won a lot of trophies, and they have a big tradition and fan base, but CSKA has been far from the top lately, and they just can’t seem to find a way to get back there. CSKA ended last season in 6^th place, which is outside the European zone, which means they will be playing only in the Russia Premier League this season.

Lokomotiv has qualified for the Europa League by ending the last season in 4^th place, but they have lost the Super Cup match to Zenit a few weeks ago. As far as their season opener goes, Lokomotiv was playing against Arsenal Tula at home, and they were the dominant team with an impressive 77% of ball possession, 7 shots on goal, 13 corner kicks, 3 big chances created, and a solid 88% of the correct passes. After losing 0-1 since the 22^nd minute, Lokomotiv got lucky in the 79^th minute when Arsenal conceded a red card. In the next 10 minutes, Lokomotiv has scored 3 goals, and they have completely turned this game around. The final score of this match was 3-1 in favor of Lokomotiv. Zhemaletdinov has scored 2 goals for Lokomotiv in round 1, while Smolov added 1 goal. Lokomotiv is definitely one of the favorites to win the title this season, but seeing how good Zenit is, it will be tough for them to get to the top. Lokomotiv was able to win a trophy last season, and it was the Russian Cup. For now, Lokomotiv is looking great, they are scoring a lot of goals, and they need to keep winning to stay at the top.

CSKA hasn’t won any of their last 4 games against Lokomotiv, but they haven’t won any of their last 5 home games. CSKA is on a 4-game winning streak. This is one of the biggest matches in Russia, and I think it will be a good one. CSKA is solid defensively, but Lokomotiv is better in the attacking end, and for that reason, I will take the over in this one.