PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS

Predictions are made by the former defender of the Soviet national team Vladimir Ponomarev and Sport Express journalist Alexandr Lvov.


Krylya Sovetov – Zenit

Expert prediction: 1-1. Samara side had tough winter break, but they managed to keep the team in Premier League and it will cause players’ emotional mindset. Moreover they will need to prove their right to play among the country’s strongest clubs.

Sport Express prediction: 1-3. Krylya Sovetov financial problems won’t let them take any points against Zenit.

Anzhi – Spartak Nalchik

Expert prediction: 0-0. It seems that teams won’t please their fans with goals.

Sport Express prediction: 1-1. Hosts think only about victory, while visitors will do everything possible not to lose.

Rostov – FC Tom

Expert prediction: 1-0. Rostov’s physical form and mindset at the beginning of spring will be enough for victory.

Sport Express prediction: 2-1. Very difficult match to predict its result. Rostov’s main strong sides are perfect selection, Oleg Protasov and their fans, while Tom will are strong with their Siberian character and Nepomnyaschy.

Sibir – Terek

Expert prediction: 1-0. Home ground, fans’ support and Premier League absolute debutants’ desire to win will be crucial factors to help Sibir win.

Sport Express prediction: 0-1. Terek is able to beat debutants.

Rubin – Lokomotiv

Expert prediction: 1-1. Yuriy Semin managed to strengthen Lokomotiv in winter break and they will be able to seal a point from Kazan.

Sport Express prediction: 2-1. Rubin is in good form now, while Loko had been searching for their best lineup for the whole winter.

Alaniya – Saturn

Expert prediction: 1-0. Saturn has never demonstrated brilliant play in the opening games of the season.

Sport Express prediction: 1-1. Saturn class is higher, but they are weakened by injury problems, while Alaniya will fight until the end.

Spartak – Dynamo

Expert prediction: 0-0. Teams don’t want to take the risk, as nobody wants to start the season with a loss, especially in Moscow derby.

Sport Express prediction: 1-1. Attacking duo Alex – Welliton is the main advantage of Spartak. Dynamo newcomers – Epureanu, Cesnauskis, Samedov and Rebko – know how to beat Spartak from their last year’s experience in FC Moskva.