Dynamo M – Krasnodar

Dynamo will be closer to victory in the first final match

The two-legged final of the Russian Cup's RPL Path will begin in Moscow. In the current season there is a lot that binds the rivals. Dynamo and Krasnodar have played three official matches and one friendly against each other since the beginning of August. Two of the encounters took place in the group stage of the Russian Cup, when it wasn't yet clear that the teams could reach the final together. In all three official matches, Dynamo were led by Valery Karpin, who had already left the coaching post. In them, the Dynamo players did not score a single goal against Alexander Karyakin and Stanislav Agkatsev. In the league, Krasnodar dominated on their home ground throughout the match, but scored the only goal only after a desperate shot by John Cordoba from outside the penalty area in the 87th minute. In the Cup, the Bulls crushed the Dynamo players in Moscow 4-0, fielding almost a second squad, and on their own ground they forced the match to a penalty shootout, in which the brilliantly playing Karyakin was luckier than his opponent. At the Winter RPL Cup, the Moscow club looked physically better prepared and managed to score the decisive goal late in the game. The teams' fourth official meeting will take place under unique conditions, distinguishing it from the previous ones. First, Dynamo is now led by Roland Gusev, who knows the opponent well and had the opportunity to fully prepare his team during the winter break. Secondly, Krasnodar is facing the toughest schedule of matches. Bookmakers have not named a favorite for the upcoming meeting, offering a slight tilt in favor of the home side. Judging by the match against Orenburg, it's evident that Roland Gusev has focused his main efforts on preparing for the meeting with Krasnodar. In the league, Dynamo have little to gain, but this is a good opportunity to contend for the long-awaited trophy in the national cup. Dynamo's path to winning it is just three matches away. Krasnodar, on Saturday, played the toughest match in Grozny, where they left all their strength for the victory over Akhmat. The Bulls have a very short bench, and on Sunday they face Zenit in Saint Petersburg. If a slip in Moscow can be corrected in Krasnodar, then a defeat in St. Petersburg would cost them first place in the RPL. Let's bet on the home team.