UEFA Champions League Preview - Rubin Kazan vs FC Barcelona

October 20th saw one of the biggest upsets in recent Champions League history when Rubin Kazan, almost unknown in this competition, went to the Nou Camp and beat the reigning champions of Europe, Barcelona, 2-1. Tonight they look to again defy the odds and pull off a result against a team that will be eager to get back to winning ways after a late own goal by Gerard Pique saw them drop two points at Osasuna in their last match. Rubin have won their last three matches and sit top of the Russian Premier League with three games remaining.

Barcelona are favourites for the match, as expected, at 1/2 (bet $20 to win $10 profit), leaving Rubin Kazan as underdogs at 15/2. This will not discourage them unduly, however, as they could be found as big as 30/1 for the previous fixture. The draw is priced at 7/2.

The bookies do not see another Kazan win as likely, and 2-0 to Barcelona has been made the most likely score at 13/2. Next is 1-0 at 7/1 and 2-1 at 8/1. 1-1 can be found at 17/2 and 3-0 to the visitors at 9/1. A shock 1-0 home win is at 18/1 and another 2-1 win for the hosts is 25/1.

Zlatan Imbrahimovic is favourite to score the first goal of the game tonight at 4/1. The Swede, signed for £40 million plus Samuel Eto`o over the summer, has scored seven times in eight league appearances this season. After Ibrahimovic comes Lionel Messi, favourite to win this year`s Fifa World Player of the Year Award, at 9/2. Former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is 11/2. Alejandro Dominguez represents RubinKazan`s best chance of opening the scoring at 10/1.

Barcelona are 5/4 to be winning at both half-time and full-time, and 7/2 to win after drawing at half-time. Draw/draw is 13/2 and Rubin Kazan to be winning at both half-time and full-time is 14/1. Draw/Rubin Kazan is 16/1 and Rubin Kazan/Barcelona is 28/1.

The bookmakers have made Barcelona favourites for the Champions League this year at 4/1, despite their setback last time out. Rubin are not seen as contenders, despite their win, due to their incredibly tough group which contains both tonight`s opponents and Inter Milan and have been priced at 200/1 to lift the trophy and 3/1 to qualify for the next round.

Rubin Kazan vs Barcelona betting odds

Champions League outright betting odds

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