Russia vs San Marino Predictions

Russia recovered from their 3-1 defeat to Belgium in the opening round of qualifiers to beat Kazakhstan away from home 4-0 three days later, while San Marino lost 5-0 away at Cyprus and were then beaten at home by Scotland. With San Marino facing their thirtieth defeat on the run this weekend, Saturday’s game isn’t about if Russia will win, it’s all about how many the hosts can score to improve their goal difference and possibly move them above Cyprus and into second place behind Belgium.

One of Russia star players, Cheryshev, scored twice in the first half away at Kazakhstan in March, and teammate Dzyuba added a third early in the second forty-five. An own goal shortly after the hour mark from Beysebekov wrapped up a convincing 4-0 win for Russia against one of their neighbours. An early goal for McLean put Scotland in front away at San Marino, and the hosts feared a heavy defeat was on hand. However, the hosts recovered well and even created a couple of half chances of their own. Scotland scored the decisive second goal in the seventy-fourth minute to end any hopes of a comeback for San Marino, making it twenty-nine defeats on the run.

The head to head record between these two teams and the form of both nations over the last six matches, suggests Russia will win big this weekend and keep a clean sheet. Russia have won each of their two previous encounters with San Marino, and those two meetings have produced two clean sheets and eleven goals for Russia. Russia have won two of their last five international matches, while San Marino have lost each of their last twenty-nine. Russia have kept three clean sheets in their last six matches and scored four goals against Kazakhstan in their last match, while San Marino conceded five times in their last away game against Cyprus, which is why we’re backing a 6-0 win for Russia on Saturday.

Russia captain Artem Dzyuba has netted sixteen goals in thirty-four appearances, while strike partner Fyodor Smolov has twelve goals in thirty-eight matches and both will be looking to fill their boots on Saturday. In contrast, only three San Marino players have an international goal to their name and only one, Matteo Vitaioli, is a striker. We’re confident that Russia will win and over 5.5 goals will be scored on Saturday, and have predicted a final scoreline of 6-0. The hosts are the better side and have goals in them, while San Marino remain the whipping boys of European international football and look set to lose their thirtieth straight match this weekend.