SPARTAK WELCOMES LOKOMOTIV ON SUNDAY

The premier match on Sunday of week three of the Russian Championship is unquestionably the Moscow derby between Spartak and Lokomotiv at Luzhniki Stadium.


Spartak Moscow – Lokomotiv Moscow

Spartak enters the match in clear need of their first victory of the year. The Krasno-belye cannot afford to defending champions Rubin Kazan to extend their lead as it already stands at a hefty fifty points. Standing in their way is Yuriy Semin's Lokomotiv, who excluding a late collapse in the opening week loss to Rubin have been near perfect. Rebounding from loss, the Railwayman overwhelmed Krylya Sovetov last week with overwhelming display. Lokomotiv welcomed Dmitriy Torbinsky back, after missing the opening day due to a suspension that carried over from last year and his presence was notable as Yuriy Semin’s side showed greater attacking vision and once again, commanding in the defending end. New signing Oleksandr Aliyev has established his booming leg and solid promise as a two-way team player. Finishing has been less than optimal, with Peter Odemwingie and Dramane Traoré off the mark but are highly capable.

After a trying opening day against Dynamo, Spartak showed a venomous attack against Zenit Saint Petersburg early, only to be outmatched by goalkeeper Soslan Dzhanaev's man of the match performance. In their first starting assignments, Ari was a perfect supporting striker for Welliton.and Marek Suchý, on-loan from Slavia Praha, had a role in the opening goal as well as keeping Alexandr Kerzhakov in check. All signs point to the tactical gem of a match with opportunities greatly limited.

Rubin Kazan – Terek Grozny

On Sunday Rubin Kazan focus their efforts on maintaining their perfect record to the start of the new campaign as they welcome Terek Grozny to Central Stadium.

Grozny has shown well in the opening two weeks, though last weeks home opener saw an otherwise superb performance against Rostov spoiled with a late leveller by Mersudin Ahmetović. The Chechen side have done well in the past against Rubin but this years unit, led by Bulgarian playmaker Blagoy Georgiev, with strikers Shamil Asildarov and Hector Bracamonte will need to step up the pace against the defending champions.

Defending champions Rubin Kazan, despite a perfect record are definitely suffering through a slow start. They were fortunate to come out with a win against Tom Tomsk on Monday, due in part to a series of highly questionable calls after stymied in the opening week against Lokomotiv until the Railwaymen ran out of steam late. That aside, a perfect record even when you are not in top form speaks volumes and Kurban Berdyev's side possess plenty of firepower. Of special note, Andrei Gorbanets and Alan Kasaev have quickly emerged in the midfield and with Rubin no longer burdened with European competition, they could distance themselves from the field early in the season.

Rostov – Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast

In the final match of the weekend, Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast visits Rostov with both sides in the hunt for their first victory of the new year.

Andrey Gordeev’s Ramenskoe based side have been deeply disappointed with their opening two weeks. Fortunate to with Alaniya Vladikavkaz and Sibir Novosibirsk on the schedule, they have only been able to come out with two draws, marked with inconsistent play. In a confusing performance last week against the visiting Siberian side, they were out worked in opening forty-five minute before taking charge after the break. Despite their quality, they have yet to show the same tenacity as last year and need to break out quickly before they drop too many points against lower division sides. However, Saturn's fortunes could make a drastic turnaround shortly with the news that Dmitriy Loskov is ready to return. Though it is unclear at this time if legendary attacker is ready to return, no less against Rostov where his career begin, his impact will be notable and must be watched.

Rostov comes into the match looking to wipe the slate clean of the opening weeks. They followed up the opening day loss to Tomsk with an extremely fortunate draw to Terek Grozny last week. Outplayed from the opening whistle, excluding a late strike, Rostov has lacked syncopation. Despite this, Rostov possesses some very fine talent and capable of far more than what they have shown. Alexandr Pavlenko and Alexandru Gaţcan have shown very well in the midfield and it is only time until Roman Adamov finds the mark and helps turn Rostov's season around.

Prepared by John Davies

PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 3 PREDICTIONS

Predictions are made by former midfielder of Spartak and Russian national team Egor Titov and sport press journalist Alexandr Martanov.


Sibir – Spartak Nalchik

Expert prediction: 2-0. My sister’s husband Alexey Vasilyev plays in Sibir, so I will support this team and I wish them good luck.

Sport press journalist's prediction: 1-0. Sibir conceded only two goals in 19 home games last season and conceded the same number of goals in the first match of the current campaign from Terek. Nevetherless I think that they will please their fans with victory.

Krylya Sovetov – FC Tom

Expert prediction: 1-0. I have no words to describe what happened with Krylya Sovetov and their fans. Logically hosts have no chances but I believe in their players.

Sport press journalist's: 1-0. Samara team looked awfully in Cherkizovo, but maybe they will manage to add players to their rosters. Even if they don’t do it, they can take three points anyway.

Dynamo – Zenit

Expert prediction: 1-1. It is one of the most difficult matches for prediction. Both Dynamo and Zenit don’t want to lose to their main competitors. I guess they will play defensive football, but they will score goals and I guess the scorers will be Kerzhakov and Voronin.

Sport press journalist's: 1-0. It seems to me that hosts will be luckier as Dynamo impressed me more than Zenit at the start of the championship.

Spartak – Lokomotiv

Expert prediction: 2-0. There cannot be other variants, because nobody would understand me if I stake on Lokomotiv.

Sport press journalist's: 1-2. Experienced Yuriy Semin was hurt by last autumn’s 0:3 defeat from less-experienced Valeriy Karpin. He will definitely take revenge upon Spartak for that loss.

Rubin – Terek

Expert prediction: 2-0. With all my respect of Terek I don’t see anything that they will oppose to Rubin. Kazan club had serious playing practice plus Alexandr Bukharov is on a high. I suppose he is number one player in Russia nowadays.

Sport press journalist's: 3-0. Last year Rubin crushed Terek 4:0 in Kazan and after that they didn’t become weaker.

Rostov – Saturn

Expert prediction: 1-2. I have more friends in Saturn so I will support them. Their victory is more probable, because their class is higher than Rostov’s level.

Sport press journalist's: 1-1. Draw is the most probable variant for me.

YURAN: I LIKED DYNAMO MORE THAN OTHERS

Sport press experts Yuriy Ivanov and Sergey Yuran comment on Premier League first two weeks of action.


"Russian clubs demonstrated absolutely different football at the start of the championship, and it’s clear that teams are in different form now", Yuriy Ivanov commented.

"Two weeks are not very long period of time, however it was enough for superficial acquaintance with the teams. Fans and specialists got an opportunity to assess all changes made by the clubs in winter break".

"For example, I liked new Dynamo, I was not disappointed by Rubin and CSKA, and I got pleasant impressions from Spartak and Zenit".

"Financial crisis divided teams into two groups and it influenced the first results of the season. Poorer clubs achieved modest results and I am sure that their far-going ambitions won’t compensate lack of high-class players".

"I mentioned that teams get used to the new season not very quickly", said Sergey Yuran. "And reason of it is easy to understand, because coaches want to increase tempo little by little. As the result players will gain their best form only by the fifth or sixth matchday".

"Teams also lack playing practice. Trial games don’t give clubs necessary preparation, and they have to re-establish their skills in official matches".

"After the first two weekends I liked Dynamo more than other teams. It’s surprising that looking at their well-balanced play, you don’t mention big number of their newcomers".

"I also Liked Rubin, Lokomotiv and Tom. I suppose that Rubin and Dynamo are in the group of the main contenders for the title this year. Both teams are well disciplined and stick to the head coach’s directions".

"Spartak was overwhelmed by emotions in the match with Dynamo. They didn’t show their football, though they demonstrated their best qualities".

"I agree that difference between leading group of six and other clubs is enormous this season. I don’t want to hurt Anzhi, Alaniya or Sibir, but it’s evident that difference between them and favourites are very big".

MOSCOW DERBY HIGHLIGHTS PREMIER LEAGUE SUNDAY PROGRAM

Schedulers in the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia saved the higher profile matches for the last, as the top of the table will battle on Sunday, with defending champions Rubin Kazan in a rare Monday match-up.


On Sunday afternoon, the Petrovsky faithful will be in full force as Spartak Moscow visits Zenit Saint Petersburg. The opening weeks for both sides were less than fulfilling as Spartak saw their much-lauded attack well controlled by Dynamo, in route to a loss, whilst Zenit was greatly limited by Krylya Sovetov. Whilst the opening week contest saw Valeriy Karpin’s run into an inspired performance by Dynamo and a possible hint of a shape of things to come from the White-Blues this year, Zenit, despite all the fan fare looked disjointed against the Samara.

In his comments to sport press, Mr. Karpin succinctly noted the Krasno-belye’s chief problem was the lack of movement and “complacency” and the youthful manager will ensure his side are more than prepared for higher work rate. Without a doubt, Spartak will need great attacking vision cutting upon Zenit and if last week is any in Luciano Spalletti’s debut in-charge of the Saint Petersburg side, they will be very patient going forward. The former Roma manger deployed his customary 4-2-3-1 formation but service to striker Alexandr Kerzhakov was terribly lacking and for the most part, efforts were of the low probability kind. Should Zenit not show a greater attacking vision, this match could grind out to a mid-field affair with Spartak the initiator.

Dynamo gets no break from back-to-back opening week Moscow Derby's as they go up against CSKA. It was hard not to come out for Dynamo’s victory over Spartak and question whether manager Andrey Kobelev has created a masterpiece in their winter signings. The White-Blues played as a team, with gritty resolve against their rivals and Andriy Voronin sparkled at times as well as showing a venomous desire to win.

This has all the makings of classic Derby battle as CSKA, coming off the highs of winning advancement to the Champions League quarterfinals will be ripe for an upset. Dynamo, who were brilliant in limiting Spartak last week, will need to the do same against Leonid Slutsky’s attacking quad of Miloš Krasić, Alan Dzagoev, Keisuke Honda and Tomáš Necid. The test for the Army-Men manager is to control the reigns of his side and return focus for the domestic campaign, starting with Sunday’s crucial test.

On Monday, defending champions Rubin Kazan will need to be careful in their visit Tom Tomsk or the Siberian side could steal points from them. After their extra-time loss to Wolfsburg in the Europa League, Kurban Berdyev will direct his side towards winning their third successive domestic crown. Standing in their way will be a Tom Tomsk, who were superb last week, with Sergei Kornilenko leading the way in a 2-0 defeat of Rostov.

The Belarusian international returned to Siberia, on-loan from Zenit Saint-Petersburg and immediately reaffirmed his goal-scoring prowess with two highly professional marks. Tomsk manager Valeriy Nepomnyaschy saw youngster Andrey Ivanov shine after summoning him at the hour and will be tempted to give him a spot in the starting eleven. Mr. Berdyev has consistently shown the ability to juggle his line-up, getting the best from his side and will need to do so again on Monday to push past the stubborn Siberian side.

Prepared by John Davies

PREMIER LEAGUE SATURDAY MATCHES PREVIEW

Following the Friday evening Caucasus Derby between Alaniya Vladikavkaz and Spartak Nalchik, the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia features four key matches, including important test for the leagues new entrants this campaign.


After solid starts last week, Anzhi Makhachkala and Sibir Novosibirsk face tough tests as they head out on the road, in matches that will show a great deal if they have the ability to stay in the top flight.

The opening match of the day sees Anzhi Makhachkala visits Amkar Perm as both sides look for an important win. Rashid Rakhimov’s side were superb in last weeks opening tussle against CSKA Moscow and ground the Army-Men attack down to a trickle. With the exception of a late, highly fortuitous goal by Keisuke Honda, Amkar was perfect and deserving of a draw. Anzhi Makhachkala showed a strong defending resolve in their opening week draw with Nalchik and will need to show similar traits against the Red-Blacks. Anzhi manager Omari Tetradze was rewarded with superb play from Jan Holenda once he was introduced after the break and will be tempted to bring the former Sparta Praha man into the starting eleven.

In the opening week of the campaign, Rostov ran into the Sergey Kornilenko show of Tom Tomsk, something many sides may find out this year, in route to a loss. They face an equally tough test as they visit Chechnya’s Terek Grozny who could be one of the surprises of the season. Anatoly Baidachny’s side boasts an attacking juggernaut of Bulgarian playmaker Blagoy Georgiev, a fit Hector Bracamonte and Shamil Asildarov, who picked up where he left off last year at Nalchik. Rostov will need to show a significantly improved defending vision against Grozny or they will go down to their second defeat in the early season.

Sibir Novosibirsk travel to Ramenskoe to face Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast, in what will surely be less than hospitable surroundings. Andrey Gordeev’s have consistently shown a better front at home and they will be looking to make amends for last week’s draw with Alaniya Vladikavkaz. The opening day test saw their hosts buoyed with support of their home fans and after the Ramenskoe-side went out in front early, it was clear the absences of attacking forces Dmitriy Loskov and Marko Topić greatly limited their efforts later in the day. The Siberian’s are the favourites for the drop and need to consider wisely tactical choices on the road. Last weeks loss to Terek Grozny showed a tenacious resolve and some solid points to build on but they face a key test in how they will approach play away from home. Sibir manager Igor Kriushenko saw very solid attacking vision from Alexandr Degtyaryov and Alexey Medvedev after the break and will have some decisions to make with his line-up. He will however be without the services of Denis Bukhryakov, under suspension, as he was sent-off late last week.

In the final match of the day Krylya Sovetov face the difficult test of visiting Yuriy Semin’s Lokomotiv Moscow. The Railwaymen are nearly unstoppable in front of their home fans and following their loss to Rubin Kazan in the opening week of competition will have something to prove. Whether it was the near unplayable “field” in Kazan that limited Lokomotiv’s efforts or just poor finishing, they need to show greater production from their strikers when the opportunity presents itself. The Samaran’s are coming off a peculiar loss to Zenit Saint Petersburg, in which they will have mixed emotions. Clearly out-matched by the Saint Petersburg side, the financially troubled unit showed solid defending resolve. Other than Danny’s counter attack goal, Samaran manager Yuriy Gazzaev put together a tactical gem in keeping the match without one strike. In their trip to the capital city, they will need to do the same against Lokomotiv. For fans of tactical football, this has the makings of a brilliant encounter with the genius of Yuriy Semin pitted against a very impressive Yuriy Gazzaev.

Prepared by John Davies

INTER? MANCHESTER? BARCELONA?

The head coach and players of CSKA spoke who and why they wanted to play in the Champions League quarterfinals.


Leonid Slutsky, head coach: "It would be unfair if I say that I do not care with whom to play in the Champions League. But most of all I do not want to get Manchester United, Barcelona and Inter as rivals."

"Probably if you ask any of our possible opponents who they want to play on this stage the answer would be one – CSKA. And it is quite easy to understand – Bordeaux, Lyon, Arsenal and Bayern are all recognized top teams. But to my mind the three mentioned undesirable clubs have an advantage in level."

Igor Akinfeev, goalkeeper: "Actually it does not matter to me what team to play. And I do not think it is wise to try guessing for we will know soon enough."

Evgeniy Aldonin, midfielder: "Choice on this stage of the competition is rather relative – only most serious teams are left. In this situation it does not matter who will you get."

"In terms of the tournament competition French clubs seems to be more favourable but look: Lyon has just kicked out Real Madrid of the competition and Bordeaux outplayed Bayern and Juventus to occupy the first place in the group showing great powerful football."

"So you can choose as much as you please but you will not get any advantage. The only thing I do not want on this stage already is to oppose Barcelona. This team is really stunning now especially at home. And the physical form of Messi impresses a lot."

Vasiliy Berezutsky, defender: "We are to play in Italy! Milos Krasic and I have said it together without previous arrangements while on the plane from Seville. And if an idea occurs in two heads simultaneously that means it is correct."

"But no matter what the results of the draw will be we will fight with any opponent. Moreover by the end of March – beginning of April the form of CSKA will improve – at the moment we are only acquiring it. On the contrary all the opponents have their championships drawing to a close. So we will definitely have some chances and we just need to grab them."

Alexey Berezutsky, defender: "The choice in the quarterfinals is quite conventional because there are no weak opponents. But I want to have a club with a name. And the greater the name the better."

Mark Gonzalez, midfielder: "Had I a choice to pick up our challenger I would prefer Manchester United. It turned so that when CSKA was playing this team in the group stage I was injured and could not take part in either of two matches. And for me, as a former player of Liverpool, it is very important to compete with the current English champion."

Milos Krasic, midfielder: "You cannot find a weak opponent in the Champions League quarterfinals – and it is quite obvious. So it is useless to choose anybody. But I have a feeling that the draw will bring us together with the Italian champions. Internazionale is a very strong club and it will be interesting to play against them."

Tomas Necid, forward: "I would prefer Barcelona – I have always wanted to play at the Camp Nou stadium. And actually the stronger the rival the more interesting it is."

Keisuke Honda, midfielder: Actually I do not care whom to play in the Round of 8. First of all because everybody there are strong, and secondly my favourite club – Real Madrid has already stumbled out of the competition. It would have been very attractive to play with them."

"But this way or other I am sure that CSKA will improve by the quarterfinals and we will be able to compete with any team."

Deividas Semberas, midfielder: "There is no much difference: no clubs are easy. And it is not a good thing to choose one’s opponent. For example Sevilla said to be happy when the draw brought it together with CSKA. And where is Sevilla now?"

CAUCASUS DERBY AS VLADIKAVKAZ VISITS NALCHIK

After a solid opening week of the 2010 Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia, the action heats up on Friday with a Caucasus Derby as Alaniya Vladikavkaz travels northeast to face Spartak Nalchik.


Alaniya Vladikavkaz, who many felt did not have the talent to play in the top flight after they were promoted from the First Division after the demise FC Moscow’s financial fallout, were pleased with a disciplined 1-1 draw to Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast.

Though Vladimir Shevchuk’s lacked confidence early, they slowly began to show some attacking vision going forward but managed to maintain a well defensive scheme throughout the day. In their short trip to Nalchik, they will need to show similar defending attributes and make great use of the counter attack.

Spartak Nalchik, who managed to pull off the great escape in 2009 with a remarkable last season run to avoid relegation, were lacking in quality in their nil draw to Anzhi Makhachkala last week. Manager Yuriy Krasnozhan, who saw Shamil Asildarov emerge as a superb goal scorer last year, was clearly missing the striker who made his way to Terek Grozny during the winter. Nalchik consistently displayed notable goal scoring prowess in front of their voracious home supporters last year, with double the output as opposed to being on the road, will need David Siradze to produce at striker or this could be a challenging year.

Slovenian international Dejan Rusič, who did not feature in last week’s contest, came over from Romanian side Timişoara in the winter and could become a key force in the Nalchik lineup once he becomes acclimated to his new surroundings.

Tensions will run hot in Friday’s Caucasus Derby and viewers should expect an intensely fought affair that they will not want to miss.

Prepared by John Davies