Lokomotiv Pamir vs Dushanbe-83 Predictions

• Lokomotiv-Pamir scored 80 goals as they were promoted as champions last season
• Dushanbe 83 were thrashed 7-0 by Istiqlol on the opening day of the campaign
• The visitors leaked just 20 goals in the Tajikistan Fist League last term

Newly promoted duo battle it out in Dushanbe

Lokomotiv-Pamir were promoted to the Tajikistan Higher League as First League champions last season and can earn a first victory of the campaign in a derby clash with Dushanbe 83 at the Pamir Stadium.

Lokomotiv pipped Fayzkand to the second-tier title by one point last term and played out a draw with the same club last week. On that evidence, they have work to do if they are to remain in the Higher League. 

But the same can definitely be said of fellow promoted outfit Dushanbe, who started their top-flight campaign with a chastening 7-0 defeat against defending champions Istiklol.

There is no shame in losing to Istiklol – the reigning Tajiki kings won a 21-game league by a commanding 15-point margin last season to pick up a six consecutive title and their opening day display points at another dominant campaign.

Dushanbe should be confident of a more competitive showing against Lokomotiv, but it is hard to ignore the fact that the hosts finished seven points clear of them in a 26-game league last season.

Strengthened Lokomotiv squad eye three points

Lokomotiv scored an impressive 80 goals in the First League last term and have bolstered their squad over the winter.

Midfielder Shakhrom Sulaimonov, who played a part in Istiklol’s title-winning campaign, is the marquee signing while Hakim Khasanov, Kaleb Avuku and former Dushanbe 83 man Benjamen Asamoa have also been added to Mubin Ergashev’s squad.

Dushanbe did not attack with the same zest as Lokomotiv last season. They scored just 48 goals in the 2019 campaign, instead putting their faith in a rock-solid defence which conceded just 20 goals. But the backline faltered on the opening day and that is a concern for Dushanbe backers.

With both recently promoted, there shouldn’t be much between them, but Lokomotiv were some way clear of their rivals in last season’s First League table and probably have the ability to edge this contest.