MOSCOW DERBY HIGHLIGHTS SUNDAY PROGRAM

On Sunday, Luzhniki is the stage for the great Moscow derby between Spartak and CSKA with both sides needing to find their winning form after disappointing last week.


Spartak Moscow - CSKA Moscow

Valeriy Karpin’s side was held by Krylya Sovetov to a scoreless draw with the Zhano Ananidze led attack, lacking finishing power. Spartak’s season is limping through some difficult times and will greater resolve going forward, presumably with Alex to return in spearheading the attack.

Leonid Slutsky CSKA’s line-up lacked a cutting side against Nalchik last week and consistently out worked. CSKA face a number of personnel issues with young striker Guilherme returning to Dynamo Kyiv after the clubs were unable to reach an agreement. To add to CSKA’s problems, Keisuke Honda is rumoured to be out of favour with the manager, hence why he was left out of last week’s starting grid and Miloš Krasić, desperate for a move to Juventus, has shown little recent play.

Lokomotiv Moscow – Rostov

Yuriy Semin’s Railwaymen looked to be in route to an away victory before Sibir Novosibirsk staged a stunning second half comeback. Oleksandr Aliyev continues to dominate with his thunderous boot but Lokomotiv will need to show greater defending composure than last week. Maicon and Dmitriy Sychev have the makings of a solid attacking duo with Wágner supplying his playmaking vision. Rostov manager Oleh Protasov has his side within striking distance of a European spot but faces a massive challenge in Lokomotiv home grounds where their hosts has lost only once since Yuriy Semin’s return in May 2009.

Tom Tomsk – Sibir Novosibirsk

On Monday, action in week fifteen concludes with a Siberian derby as Tom Tomsk welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Valeriy Nepomnyaschy’s Tomsk has faltered since the break with off with three consecutive losses since the break and lacking in the defending end. Sibir were triumphant in the Europa League.

Manager Igor Kriushenko has a tough series of selection decision we with the second leg of their tie against Apollon on Thursday, they may be forced into changes.

Prepared by John Davies

... but nothing matches the thrill and challenge of having money on the line!