After an abbreviated schedule last week, the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia returns this weekend with a crucial series of contests in match day seventeen.
While Zenit Saint Petersburg would need a cataclysmic turn of fortune to overturn their undefeated season, slowly the story is turning to Nalchik and Rostov who have moved into the fourth and fifth spots and threatening for a spot in Europe.
The weekend kicks off Saturday as Krylya Sovetov visits Tom Tomsk. The Samaran's have managed three hard earned draws against Spartak, Dynamo and Lokomotiv in successive weeks and under the leadership of Alexandr Tarkhanov, they are beginning to look very much like a side capable of avoiding relegation.
Tom Tomsk are seventh in the table and not given up hopes for Europe. Manager Valeriy Nepomniachi has helped develop Artyom Dzyuba, on-loan from Spartak Moscow, into one of the top young strikers in Russia with the youngster lodging four goals since the break. The Siberian's must expect a tight defending resolve from Krylya Sovetov and they will need to make the most of their opportunities.
In the second match of the day, the Petrovsky faithful welcome Dynamo Moscow as Zenit Saint Petersburg looks to maintain their unbeaten form. Zenit, who saw last weeks pivotal contest against Spartak postponed are ploughing towards the title without seemingly a bump. Under manager Luciano Spalletti, Zenit is composed and since the break has asserted a new-found attacking authority.
Recent additions Bruno Alves, Alexandr Bukharov and Sergey Semak confirm Zenit's lofty goals in Europe and they have rarely looked threatened on the domestic front. Dynamo continues to reshape itself under Miodrag Bozovic with the arrival of Kevin Kurányi and expected departure of Dmitriy and Krill Kombarov. The White-Blue's have looked miserable on the road with a scant win in seven contests and will need to show significantly better finishing against Zenit if they are to return home with points.
Relegation threatened Sibir Novosibirsk travels to face Spartak Nalchik with Igor Kriushenko's side in dire straights after the sale of skipper Alexey Medvedev. Without the clubs leading goal scorer, the likes of Igor Shevchenko and Alexandr Antipenko will need to come up big. Yuriy Krasnozhan's Nalchik side is improbably within two points of a Champions League spot but in need of a response after Alaniya Vladikavkaz upset them last week. Undefeated at home, Vladimir Dyadyun has emerged as an attacking tour de force and at the root of Nalchik’s attacking success.
In the final match of the day Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast welcomes Rostov in an unexpected battle of epic proportions. The Ramenskoe-based side is the hottest in the league, whilst Rostov is staring down the gullet of a spot in Europe. Likewise, with four consecutive victories Andrey Gordeev's men has not only pushed aside relegation worries but with striking distance of a European berth. Both sides have shown recently an up-tempo form and the contest harkens to be a fast- paced affair.
Prepared by John Davies
... but nothing matches the thrill and challenge of having money on the line!
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