CSKA vs Lokomotiv-Kuban. Who will take the first step to the final of the competition?

The semi-final stage of the VTB United League kicks off, which will delight you with the most interesting confrontations. In the first match between CSKA and Lokomotiv-Kuban. The Moscow "soldiers" won the regular championship, so until the very last moment they will have the advantage of the home court. In the starting round of the playoffs, they literally destroyed Nizhny Novgorod, allowed to impose a fight in only one meeting. The team feels just great, adds and progresses.

"Railroaders" also received a fairly simple seeding. They ended the series dry with PARMA, leaving no chance for the opponent. It was felt how confidently basketball players control the situation throughout all three fights. On May 5, CSKA and Lokomotiv Kuban will meet in the opening match of the series.

• Expert Predictions Analysis
• CSKA vs Lokomotiv-Kuban facts
• History of the confrontation
• ODDs
• Game Totals Prediction

Our Expert Predictions & Analysis on CSKA vs Lokomotiv-Kuban

CSKA

The Moscow "CSKA" frankly failed the starting segment of the season. But gradually there was an understanding that the team was actively working on the mistakes, closing the gaps in the composition. Qualitative newcomers have come who bring tremendous benefits. In addition, the leadership managed to keep many legionnaires, which is very important in the playoffs. At first, the team won the regular season and was able to play the final segment of this stage very competently. And then the basketball players calmly moved Nizhny Novgorod in the starting playoff series. All three matches went to CSKA with an obvious advantage, the players allowed themselves to relax a bit only in the second - 78:64, 91:89 and 88:75. In some matches, the defensive line sagged a little, but the attack invariably acted at the highest level. It is the game with the first number that can bring the desired result to the “army team”.

Lokomotiv-Kuban

Lokomotiv Kuban had a very uneven season. It all started very well, the team churned out victories and took the lead. At that moment, it seemed that the team would really be able to aim for the coveted title of the competition. But over time, the situation has completely changed. The team completely failed the final segment of the regular championship, looked absolutely helpless. Therefore, in the playoffs, he made his way from the fourth position in the standings. And in the playoffs there was a qualitative change in the situation. "Railroad" changed and began to act almost perfectly in attack. They successively destroyed the opponent three times - 76:70, 100:84 and 101:78. Now there is a good chance to present a loud sensation, to beat the main favorite of the competition. Then the path to the title will be almost completely open.

History of the confrontation

Opponents up to this point 36 times collided with each other in the open spaces of various tournaments. The obvious advantage is on the side of the Moscow “army men”, who turned out to be stronger than the opponent 27 times. Lokomotiv-Kuban responded to this with only nine victories. The last face-to-face meeting took place in February 2022. Then the rivals also met on the floor of the Megasport Arena in Moscow. And CSKA won the most convincing victory with a score of 91:71. And the best player of that meeting was Alexey Shved, who scored 15 points, made three rebounds and gave 10 assists.

ODDs from download 1xbet

CSKA looks like the obvious favorite of the whole rivalry and the first match. It is offered to bet on a possible victory of the hosts of the parquet with a coefficient of 1.23. And Lokomotiv-Kuban is hardly against the status of an underdog, since it can remove unnecessary emotional responsibility. A potential away win can be played with odds of 4.64. The base total of the match was set at around 170.5 points. You can bet on its penetration, as well as on the reverse option, with odds of 1.94 and 1.88. Install the 1xbet app and place a bet on the favorite!

Game Totals Prediction

CSKA is the undisputed main favorite of the competition, which is confidently moving towards its goal. He continues to churn out victories, looks convincing. Therefore, at home, the team will definitely act as the first number. Lokomotiv-Kuban will try to present a very loud sensation. He will try to win at least one away match in order to take away the advantage of the home court from the opponent. We predict that the opponents will break through the total of 170.5 points.