All eyes will be focused on Moscow this weekend, with two derbies set to rock the Russian capital on Saturday and Sunday.
The city big four, Spartak, Dynamo, Lokomotiv and CSKA (with full respect for Torpedo), have been quite the stable of powerful horses in the Premier League title race for the past decade. All have had their own moments in topping the league, with CSKA now holding the upper hand. Even though Spartak and Dynamo have long since faded from the plate on the Cup, they’ll still been competitive year in and year out. Each of the four clubs has its own charisma, power and motivation to conquer the other. This weekend provides another full entertainment package for the capital’s citizens as these brother clubs face off once again. This time, none of them have yet to lose and head into the derbies with great form, drive and spirit.
Battle of the in-forms at Khimki
Even though the season has just dawned, expectations in Moscow are already really high. Spartak has been looking more comfy than ever, notching two wins out of two, engineered by the full-of-tricks Karpin. His opposite number at Dynamo, Dan Petrescu, should be happy with his side’s fighting spirit for the past two games. Coming back from two down against Volga, they defied the odds by snatching three points from mighty Anzhi last week. The promise of two very confident sides battling it out spices up the build-up in Khimki, with tickets sold out online two days before the game. A rare phenomenon, given where Dynamo have stood for the last few years! Nonetheless, both sides will provide a tremendous football show, and the team with the stamina and proper mentality will come out on top.
Prediction: I will go for Spartak to win, 2-1. Spartak will control the midfield, their experienced row of talents in the middle of the park are far superior, when compared to Dynamo’s. The Rejuvenated McGeady, and Movsisyan up front, will provide a huge test for the Granat - Fernandez partnership.However, if Petrescu’s side does the job brilliantly on the back line, just like last week against Anzhi, they could snatch at least a point. Their counter attack was dangerous at times, too. Smolov will be the target for playmaker Yusupov or Gatagov, with Solomatin and Kasaev providing pace on the flank for them.
Life after Vagner in Cherkizovo
CSKA will have to sort themselves out quickly after the shock departure of Vagner Love to China. Love has been more than influential for CSKA; his return drove The Army to their golden double last season. This will be a huge setback for the team, but on a brighter note, it will provide the space for the gaffer Slutsky to slot in a recovered Doumbia in the starting line-up. For the home side, the match will be the best chance for Leonid Kuchuk to win back the hearts of the supporters. A big match in the first home game of the season, Kuchuk has an array of talent at his disposal to put CSKA deeper in the trouble. Both sides have reliable defenders at the back, but Lokomotiv has a bit of an edge as Shishkin, Yanbaev or Denisov can provide an additional boost in every Lokomotiv’s attack. The midfield battle will be more important, CSKA will look towards Honda, Dzagoev and Elm to unlock The Railway defence again, just like when they trashed them a couple of month ago.
Prediction: The humiliation CSKA put on Bilic’s Lokomotiv will be a reminder that CSKA had better quality players than Loko does. But this time, optimism has returned under the good start with Kuchuk at the helm, and CSKA’s good form has been halted with injuries, suspensions, plus Vagner Love’s departure. I can see Loko come away with a point here, if they can manipulate the instability around CSKA’s team. 2-2 this time.
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