The 11th round of the Russian Premier League (RPL) is set to unfold, with an equal number of matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. A defining feature of the current season is the remarkable density of the league table, where teams are incredibly close in points.
Zenit is on the verge of returning to the top spot, a position they haven`t held singularly for ten months, since December 2, 2024. A new opportunity presents itself: a victory on Saturday against Akron away from home, combined with any dropped points from current leaders Krasnodar and Lokomotiv, could see them ascend to the summit.
Current league frontrunner CSKA is slated to play on Sunday. Lokomotiv faces a significant challenge against a rejuvenated Dynamo, particularly on Dynamo`s home turf. Meanwhile, the reigning champions, despite playing at home, will encounter Akhmat, managed by Sergei Cherchesov, who has maintained an unbeaten record since his recent appointment.
Krasnodar has struggled to find the net in their last three matches, a streak that includes their Tuesday Cup game against Dynamo. Head coach Murad Musaev acknowledged this goalless run as a concern but expressed confidence in finding a solution:
«Reflecting on our matches against Zenit and Dynamo, we certainly created chances. I believe there were approximately three clear-cut scoring opportunities in each game. Crucially, converting just one of these could have dramatically altered the game`s flow, making it more open and creating further scoring prospects. While we typically score frequently, this recent lack of goals isn`t ideal. However, the presence of these scoring opportunities is a positive sign. The match against Rostov was particularly challenging. In that game, we definitely needed to prioritize playing the ball on the ground more, avoiding their preferred style, and sticking to our own game. While not everything clicked, there`s a strong, positive atmosphere within the team and in the dressing room. The players are committed in every training session, and their desire to win is evident. Such difficulties arise periodically, and our focus now is to intensify our work and strengthen our self-belief.»
Sunday will witness the highly anticipated Moscow derby between CSKA and Spartak. On Saturday, the main event will be the clash between Dynamo and Lokomotiv at 19:45. Dynamo, playing at the VTB Arena, is showing signs of recovery, though their central defense remains a vulnerable point. Tyukavin, however, has made a welcome return. An unexpected announcement on Thursday revealed the departure of Dmitry Gafin, chairman of the club`s board of directors. Lokomotiv, on the other hand, appears to have navigated through their recent crisis. Only the unresolved contract situation of team captain Barinov causes some minor apprehension. Furthermore, the league`s top scorer and Lokomotiv star, Alexey Batrakov, has been uncharacteristically quiet. Nonetheless, he is undeniably a unique talent, as observed by Alexander Grigoryan, former coach of Khimki, Anji, and Kuban, during a broadcast on Match Premier TV:
«Have you ever witnessed Batrakov`s one-on-one dribbling skills, his flair? He operates as a `number ten`. And have you observed Batrakov`s technique of receiving the ball and escaping pressure? No. This prompts the question: how can a young player, without prominent one-on-one dribbling or the ability to effortlessly elude pressure, perform at such a high level? The answer is straightforward: he makes decisions faster than anyone else. This individual`s thought process is simply a day ahead of everyone else. In Batrakov, we are dealing with a truly unique phenomenon who, in my estimation, is destined to evolve into an exceptional footballer.»
On Saturday, Zenit will travel to Samara to challenge Akron Togliatti. Glushenkov`s outstanding performance, including a four-goal haul in the previous round, combined with his overall masterful play, firmly positions the vice-champion as the clear favorite. Artyom Dzyuba`s Akron team faces minimal chances of securing any points.
Current RPL Standings:
- CSKA: 21 points
- Lokomotiv: 20 points (holds second place due to a 2-1 victory over Krasnodar in their direct encounter)
- Krasnodar: 20 points
- Zenit: 19 points
- Spartak: 18 points
- Baltika: 17 points
- Akhmat: 15 points
- Dynamo: 15 points
- Rubin: 15 points
Notably: Lokomotiv currently stands as the sole undefeated team in the league.
The federal broadcaster, Match TV, is set to broadcast two of the eight fixtures scheduled for the 11th round. Both selected matches are designated as «top-tier» and exclusively feature Moscow-based teams. Saturday will feature the anticipated Dynamo vs. Lokomotiv confrontation, while Sunday will host the «Derby of All Russia»: CSKA vs. Spartak.
