I take a look at Wednesday’s games in the RPL, featuring Spartak, CSKA and Zenit. Zenit and Spartak will be looking to carry on their momentum, and CSKA will be hoping to bounce back from a bad week.
Spalletti will hope his side maintain their good form in this match
Krylia v Zenit
Zenit travel to Samara having beaten Rostov comfortably at the weekend, meaning that they went level with CSKA and Spartak on 20 points at the top of the table. Krylia, who are unbeaten in 5, will be disappointed that they only managed to pick up a point from the weekends match with Ural, especially as they welcome Zenit who are in fine form.
Injuries and Tactics
Zenit have a few injuries, with goalkeeper Malafeev, right back Anyukov and playmaker Shirokov all missing this trip to Samara. Due to this, I expect Zenit to line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Smolnikov continuing to deputise for Anyukov. Spalletti may make a few changes with the weekend’s game with Spartak and a Champions League encounter with Austria Vienna a few days later. Players like Bystrov and Bukharov may get some game time.
As for the hosts, they will probably line up in a 4-5-1 with key men Semshov and Kornilenko both expected to play, talented Paraguayan Caballero could return to the starting 11
Prediction: Krylia 0-2 Zenit
Kombarov and Movsisyan will be hoping to repeat Sunday’s perfromance
Spartak v FC Krasnodar
Spartak will still be on a high from Sunday’s superb derby win, but they will have to fight against complacency in this fixture, if they want to maintain their good form. Krasnodar moved up to an impressive 5th position after their 1-0 away victory at struggling Terek at the weekend, and they will be hoping that they can benefit from Spartak’s injury woes.
Injuries and Tactics
Spartak’s injury list is quite ridiculous, with Tino Costa and Joao Carlos joining the queue for the treatment table after the win over CSKA. Karpin will subconsciously have one eye on the Zenit match, but he will know that three points here is key. I expect Spartak to start in a variation of a 4-5-1 with the talented Ozbiliz expected to start, supporting his compatriot Movsisyan up front. Yakovlev or Kallstrom could come in for Costa, whilst Suchy could start in place of Joao Carlos.
Krasnodar have no real injury concerns, so I expect them to start of with a similar team that beat Terek at the weekend, with Mamaev and Marcio pulling the strings in midfield and the talented Brazilians Joaozinho and Wanderson providing an attacking threat.
Prediction: Spartak 2-1 Krasnodar
It’s been that kind of week for Kuban
Kuban v Terek
Both sides come into this game in poor form. Kuban had a terrible week, losing in Switzerland and losing 0-3 to Amkar at home. Terek have had a disastrous start to the season, and sit rock bottom in the RPL table. Both sides are really in need of points, so expect this to be a tight game.
Injuries and Tactics
Kuban will be without summer acquisitions Rabiu and Melgarejo for this game, so they will probably start off in a 4-4-1-1 with Bugaev possibly coming in for Melgarejo. Cisse may start or coach Munteanu may elect to start with Balde again. Kuban will hope that Popov and Bucur can find some form which could help them win this match.
Terek have a few injuries, most notably Polish international Rybus, who will be out until November. Terek find themselves in a rut at the moment, with no confidence and a real bad atmosphere around the club, they need to start picking up points fast. They will probably start in a 4-4-2, with Kanu and Mauricio hoping to start. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a change up front, with Ailton or Lebedenko pushing for a start.
Prediction: Kuban 1-0 Terek
Can Vitinho help CSKA recover from Derby day?
CSKA v Anzhi
The Army Men host strugglers Anzhi in arguably the pick of Tuesday’s games. CSKA will be hurting after their derby defeat and will look to put things right in this match. Anzhi will be hoping to feed off CSKA’s poor derby day performance, and an early Anzhi goal could affect CSKA’s confidence.
Injuries and Tactics
CSKA missed their key players against Spartak, without question. With no Rasmus Elm in midfield they became very predictable as Cauna and Wernbloom are similar types of players. Doumbia and Dzagoev are also big players who are missing for the hosts. I expect Slutsky to make a few changes, possibly bringing in Vitinho for Tosic and Milanov could start in central midfield. The performances of Honda and Musa will be key in this match.
The visitors from Dagestan will probably start off in a 4-4-1-1 with Solomatin up front due to Lacina Traore’s shoulder injury. Jucilei and Akhmedov will feel as though they have enough talent to exploit CSKA’s weakness in midfield.
Prediction: CSKA 2-0 Anzhi