As the Russian Premier League’s 2024/2025 season gets underway, football enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the clash between Nizhny Novgorod and Rubin Kazan. Set for Monday, July 22nd at 18:00 local time, this match promises to be a captivating start to both teams’ campaigns.
Lineups and Team News
Nizhny Novgorod is likely to adopt a 3-5-2 formation, with several new faces in the mix. Their predicted lineup reads:
Predicted Nizhny Novgorod Lineup: Gotsuk, Bozhenov, Kakkoev, Ticic, Kalayda, Medvedev, Kalinskiy, Ozegovic, Magkeev, Boselli, Stamatov
The home side will be without midfielder Ilya Zhigulev and forward Mamadou Maiga due to long-term injuries. However, they’ve bolstered their squad with summer acquisitions, including defenders Stanislav Magkeev and Evgeny Lukinykh, midfielders Dan Glazer and Luka Vesner Ticic, winger Vladislav Karapuzov, and forward Ognjen Ozegovic.
Rubin Kazan is expected to mirror their opponents’ formation:
Predicted Rubin Kazan Lineup: Jocic, Shabanhaxhaj, Teslenko, Daku, Kabutov, Vujacic, Nigmatullin, Zotov, Gritsaenko, Rozhkov, Jukic
The visitors face their own challenges, with Umarali Rahmonaliyev unavailable due to Olympic duties with Uzbekistan. Ugochukwu Iwu remains a doubt as he recovers from a recent injury.
Where to Watch
While specific broadcast details are yet to be confirmed, fans should keep an eye on local sports channels and streaming platforms for live coverage.
However, viewers from Bosnia and Herzegovina can watch live on Arena Sport Premium 2, Croatia can watch on Arena Sport 3 HR, North Macedonia can watch on Arena Sport Premium 2, and Serbia can watch on Arena Sport Premium 2.
Who Will Win?
Recent history favors Nizhny Novgorod, who’ve won their last four encounters with Rubin Kazan across all competitions. However, current form suggests a tighter contest. Nizhny Novgorod’s struggle for wins in their last ten Premier League matches contrasts with Rubin Kazan’s steady pre-season performances.
Prediction and Goals
Given the teams’ recent trajectories, a closely fought draw seems likely. A 1-1 scoreline could be on the cards, with both sides finding the net but unable to secure a decisive advantage.
Stats and Form
Nizhny Novgorod narrowly avoided relegation last season, highlighting their need for improvement. Under Sasa Ilic’s continued guidance, they’ll be eager to start afresh. Rubin Kazan, meanwhile, has maintained squad stability, making only three new signings. Their pre-season form has been encouraging, with victories against Lokomotiv Moscow and Enisey in friendlies.
Head to Head
Nizhny Novgorod holds the upper hand in recent meetings, not only winning the last four but also leading at both half-time and full-time in their last three encounters with Rubin Kazan.
Standings
As the season kicks off, both teams find themselves in the lower half of the table. Nizhny Novgorod occupies the 15th spot, with Rubin Kazan just below in 16th. However, these positions are likely to shift rapidly as the season unfolds.
Latest News
Nizhny Novgorod’s summer spending spree has raised eyebrows, with the club clearly intent on avoiding another relegation scrap. The integration of new signings will be crucial to their early-season form.
For Rubin Kazan, the focus has been on stability and incremental improvement. The return of goalkeeper Artur Nigmatullin and the addition of Serbian midfielder Aleksandar Jukic could prove pivotal in their quest for a higher finish this season.
As both teams prepare to lock horns, fans can anticipate an engaging battle between two sides eager to make their mark. With fresh talent and tactical adjustments on display, this fixture could set the tone for what promises to be an exciting Russian Premier League season.
Also Read:
