14th Jun 2015 | International
Form Guide Compromises Russians
Russia have looked ordinary for a year while their visitors have raced ahead in Group G.
Another qualification section where we are seeing an underdog setting the pace is Group G. Austria haven’t qualified for a major tournament since the World Cup of 1998 but they are unbeaten (W4 D1) and convincing in the current campaign.
Marcel Koller has steered his team to four competitive wins on the bounce and they might just make it five in Moscow at best odds of 10/3 (Coral).
Not only are Austria flying but Russia have looked mediocre. Fabio Capello knows that third isn’t really good enough given the lack of powerhouse nations and the truth is the points tally could have been worse.
Russia were drawing 0-0 in Montenegro with 67 minutes gone when crowd trouble resulted in the visitors being awarded a 3-0 victory.
Since then it has hardly got more convincing in friendlies. Russia drew 0-0 at home to Kazakhstan and then trailed Belarus 2-1, again on their own patch, before a late flurry of goals made it 4-2 to Capello’s relief.
At a good price, a seemingly unlikely away success could be on the cards here.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 09:01 14th Jun, 2015 but subject to change
