TipResumen

INTRODUCTION

In the second round of the Russian Premier League we have a very interesting match as it is the Moscow derby between Lokomotiv Moscow and Spartak Moscow. The two sides have won the title before so it is also a meeting between two Champions. Lokomotiv Moscow were the Champions last season while Spartak Moscow finished in third slot. At the start of the season Spartak Moscow had a better start as they beat FC Orenburg while Lokomotiv Moscow only managed one point away to Ufa.



LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW

Last season they finished as Champions as they won their fifth title and they took the title away from Spartak Moscow. As the season ended Spartak Moscow only had four points less then Lokomotiv. CSKA Moscow finished second with two points less.At the start of the season they met CSKA Moscow in the Super Cup and they were beaten by 2-1 after extra time. In the first round, Lokomotiv Moscow only managed to get a draw with Ufa away from home. Now manager Semin will go for a more attacking lineup in today's clash with Spartak Moscow. As for the team news, two players will miss this match and they are midfielder Krychwiak, who is injured, as well as stopper Howedes who arrived to Moscow a few days ago.



SPARTAK MOSCOW

Spartak Moscow will have additional motive for this match to get a result here as last season it was Lokomotiv Moscow who took the title away from them. In the first part of last season they played quite poorly but they played much better in the Spring and in the end they managed to finish third in the standings behind CSKA Moscow. They still managed to play in the Champions League but will have to play in the qualifying rounds and that means they will face Greek PAOK next week in the third qualifying round. Last season in the group stage of the Champions League they finished third in the group and were relegated to the Europa League where they were eliminated in the first round by Athletic Bilbao. The likes of stoppers Maskimovic and Tasci, and midfielder Pasalic left the team in the summer, while midfielder Tashaev and stopper Samuel Gigot arrived into the side. StopperSamuel Gigot scored the only goal when they played with FC Orenburg in the first round match at home last weekend. As for the team news, due to injuries, the likes of goalkeeper Selikhov and midfielder Ananidze will miss this clash.