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Rubin Kazan v Tottenham, KO: 17:00, live on ITV4

Two weeks ago I predicted a low-scoring game in the reverse of this fixture with a 1-0 Spurs victory being one of my Correct Score selections. Thankfully I was right, and that result means that Harry Redknapp can afford to lose this game knowing that four points against Shamrock Rovers (away) and PAOK (home) will be enough to see his team qualify for the knock-out stages of this competition.

But does that mean we ought to lump on Kazan to win this game? I'm inclined to believe it does with Redknapp himself admitting that he is reluctant to play his star names in Russia ahead of his club's Premier League game with Fulham at the weekend. And after undergoing minor heart surgery on Wednesday the Tottenham boss will also be sitting this game out. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.

Youngsters Danny Rose, Kyle Walker, Jake Livermore, Giovani dos Santos and Andros Townsend, plus the experience of Heurelho Gomes, Sandro, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe have all travelled to Russia and are expected to form part of a much-changed starting XI.


Match Odds

Kazan showed more than enough at White Hart Lane to suggest that, on their own turf, they can cause what is likely to be a second-string Tottenham side plenty of problems. The Russian outfit have lost just once at their Central Stadium home in over three months, and that was to Champions League outfit Zenit St Petersburg. Since their defeat in North London they have won one and drawn one in the Russian Premier League, and with a win very much needed in this encounter we can be confident that boss Kurban Berdyev will field his strongest side possible.


Over/Under 2.5 Goals

As was the case two weeks ago layers are very undecided in this market, making both the Under and Over 2.5 Goals options available to back at 2.0. However, unlike a fortnight ago I don't envisage this game being a low-scoring encounter purely because Kazan very rarely keep a clean sheet on home soil. In fact from their last 10 home games stretching back to the middle of June they've managed just two shut-outs, whilst despite the game at White Hart Lane finishing 1-0 it was hardly a dull spectacle that had few chances.


Correct Score

A few of Kazan's European games have ended 2-2 (20.0) this season and if Spurs do manage a draw then this is a scoreline that could pay dividends. But I fancy a home win and therefore my favoured wager in this market has to be the 3-1 option - available to back at 18.0.


Recommended Bets
Back Rubin Kazan @ 1.74 to beat Tottenham
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.0
Back 3-1 @ 18.0 & 2-2 @ 20.0 Correct Scores

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