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The Russian Premier League feature between CSKA Moscow and cross-city rivals Spartak Moscow is arguably the most exciting match in the country this weekend, as the fixture could have massive implications on the rest of the season.
Spartak Moscow have been the better team in the recent past and are the favourites to win this match.
CSKA Moscow are currently in fifth place in the Russian Premier League table and have not been in the best shape this season. The home side have managed only 10 points in six games and need to get back to their best to improve their chances of making it into the Russian Premier League's top four.
Spartak Moscow, on the other hand, have got their 2020-21 season off to a flying start and have won three matches on the trot over the past few weeks. The away team came away with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against 10-man Arsenal Tula before the international break and will not want to take their position at the top of the league for granted.
CSKA Moscow vs Spartak Moscow Head-to-Head
CSKA Moscow have a considerable head-to-head advantage over their local rivals and have won 15 out of a total of 32 official games played between the two teams. The Krasno-Belye have surprisingly managed only 10 victories and have an excellent opportunity to reduce the deficit this weekend.
The two Moscow giants met in a Russian Cup quarter-final in March this year and Spartak Moscow came away with a thrilling 3-2 victory. Jordan Larsson stepped up with the winning goal in extra-time on the day and will play a pivotal part in Sunday's game.
CSKA Moscow form guide in the Russian Premier League: W-D-L-L-W
Spartak Moscow form guide in the Russian Premier League: W-W-W-D-W
Also Read: 10 Greatest Football Managers of all time
CSKA Moscow vs Spartak Moscow Team News
CSKA Moscow
CSKA Moscow have a long list of injuries to deal with and will go into this game without many of their star players. Kirill Nabakin, Ilzhat Akhmetov, and Bruno Fuchs have been ruled out of this fixture. Igor Diveev and star midfielder Alan Dzagoev have nearly recovered from their injuries but may not be risked against Spartak Moscow.
Injured: Kirill Nabakin, Ilzhat Akhmetov, Bruno Fuchs
Doubtful: Igor Diveev, Alan Dzagoev
Suspended: None
Spartak Moscow
Aleksandr Kokorin and Ezequiel Ponce have recovered from their injuries and may feature in the away team's starting XI on Sunday. Alexander Selikhov and Maksim Glushenkov are injured and have been ruled out of this game.
Injured: Maksim Glushenkov, Alexander Selikhov
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
CSKA Moscow vs Spartak Moscow Predicted XI
CSKA Moscow XI (4-2-3-1): Igor Akinfeev; Georgy Schennikov, Hordur Magnusson, Viktor Vasin, Mario Fernandes; Konstantin Maradishvili, Ivan Oblyakov; Chidera Ejuke, Nikola Vlasic, Konstantin Kuchaev; Fedor Chalev
Spartak Moscow XI (3-4-3): Aleksandr Maksimenko; Georgi Dzhikiya, Samuel Gigot, Pavel Maslov; Ayrton Lucas, Nail Umyarov, Alex Kral, Roman Zobnin; Zelimkhan Bakaev, Aleksandr Sobolev, Jordan Larsson
CSKA Moscow vs Spartak Moscow Prediction
CSKA Moscow may well be a formidable unit on their day but need to improve drastically to stand a chance against Spartak Moscow over the weekend. The home side desperately needs to put together a string of victories and the derby represents an excellent opportunity to announce the start of something special.
Spartak Moscow have managed narrow victories in their last three games and may have to brace themselves for an onslaught by a determined opposition. The away team have a resolute defence, however, and are perfectly capable of edging Spartak Moscow to victory in this game.
Prediction: CSKA Moscow 1-2 Spartak Moscow
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