Sochi - Makhachkala predictions

The visitors are well aware of the challenge ahead of them. To defeat Sochi on their home field would be a significant achievement, and it is never an easy undertaking.

Out of their home field and heading into this match as underdogs, Makhachkala would need to play their best to have a hope of winning. That said, even a draw would be a positive outcome, and all three results are quite possible.

It’s hard to judge Sochi’s form based on their most recent performance at Akron . Even though they suffered a narrow 3:2 loss, the opposing team was favoured with odds of 2.07 and home-field advantage.

The 3:0 defeat Makhachkala recorded in the previous round was harsh, but entirely predictable. The home-field disadvantage and severely unfavourable matchup against Dinamo Moskva were too high of a hurdle for almost any team to overcome, and they spent most of the game’s runtime struggling to keep up.

Looking over the home team’s recent record, we can see a worrying trend. They’ve conceded more than 5 goals over the past 3 matches alone, indicating problems in their defensive lineup.

Based on their recent performance, Makhachkala’s largest issue seems to be defence, especially in away games. With 6 conceded goals in their 3 previous visiting matches, Over 3.5 Goals markets seem like a solid betting option.

Despite being favourites, Makhachkala couldn’t manage to secure a victory the last time they played against Sochi. This gives the hosts some precedent when it comes to beating the odds, but it’s not a strong case.

Due to the absence of injuries or suspensions, both teams will have their complete lineups available for an exciting match.

We recommend keeping it safe with a Double Chance for Away or Draw. There are minor risks involved, mind you, but the 1 odds are enough to make the bet worth taking.