Russia and Sweden experienced contrasting fortunes when they kicked off their respective Uefa Nations League campaigns last month.
Stanislav Cherchesov's charges triumphed 2-1 in Turkey, maintaining the feel-good factor in the country following their impressive run to the last eight on home soil at the World Cup earlier this year.
Just three days later, Russia's fellow World Cup quarter-finalists Sweden surrendered a 2-0 lead as they crashed to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Turkey in Solna and so there is no further room for error for Janne Andersson's men here.
Latest odds
Russia are chalked up as 19/20 (1.95) favourites with bet365 to pick up all three points in what is their first competitive home match since suffering that agonising penalty shoot-out loss against Croatia at the World Cup.
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Sweden are a 100/30 (4.33) chance to kickstart their Nations League campaign with victory in Russia, while the same firm go 21/10 (3.10) that these two teams are forced to settle for a share of the spoils on this occasion.
Team news
Igor Akinfeev, who represented Russia for 14 years, has announced his retirement from international football, but Andrey Lunev kept goal for the national team in both of their fixtures last month and is the favourite to retain his place.
Sweden captain Andreas Granqvist missed the match against Turkey through illness but the defender, who is reportedly attracting interest from Manchester United, will likely return to the starting line-up in Russia.
Goals galore?
Russia have managed just one clean sheet in their last 15 fixtures - against Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the World Cup - but Cherchesov's side have scored in seven of their last eight outings.
That sequence includes a 5-1 demolition of Czech Republic last month and bet365 go even money (2.0) that there are goals at both ends here, while the same firm offer 5/4 (2.25) that there are more than two goals scored in Kaliningrad.
Punters, though, should note that there have been fewer than three goals in 12 of Sweden's last 16 matches, with goals scored at both ends in just two of the last 10 fixtures that Andersson's men have fulfilled.
Prediction
Russia are riding the crest of a wave at present, while the visitors have suffered three successive defeats. Value, therefore, could lie in backing the hosts to beat the stuttering Swedes at 19/20 (1.95) with bet365.
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
Russia to win at 19/20 (1.95) for a 2pt stake at bet365
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