Spartak Moscow vs FC Dynamo-Makhachkala Prediction

🔴 Spartak fans' dreams of a championship were short-lived. At the start of the spring stretch, the team caught up with the two leaders, but now they trail Krasnodar by five points. However, their chances are not yet gone, especially since the two main rivals will face each other in the next round.

🔗 After the winter break, the "red-and-whites" have won all their home games, including a 2-1 victory over Zenit. On the road, Dejan Stankovic's side have dropped points, except for the last match where they thrashed Rostov 3-0. It helped that their opponent was reduced to ten men before halftime. Spartak scored all three goals in the second half, with Ezequiel Barco named Man of the Match after providing an assist and scoring his 10th goal for the "red-and-whites."

📣 This season, Stankovic has occasionally surprised with his starting lineup choices. For instance, against Rostov, he fielded Mientje Abena in central defense, marking his first appearance since the winter break, not due to injury. The head coach praised the entire team and Abena individually at the press conference: "I'm sure if we had lost today, he would have been heavily criticized. Today he showed himself both as a man and as an outstanding player. Despite missing a lot of time and lacking match practice, he demonstrated his qualities. For me, he was the best player on the pitch."

❌ In the match against Rostov, Marquinhos took a heavy hit, leading to Sutormin's dismissal. The Brazilian was substituted after halftime, casting doubt on his participation in the upcoming game. Alexis Duarte missed the last round due to knee issues and wasn't ready in time for the match. He might return to action on Friday. Jesús Medina was also absent in Rostov, having missed two consecutive games due to an injury.

⚪ Dynamo Makhachkala have one clear objective this season: to retain their spot in the Russian Premier League. The team has been gradually slipping down the standings, finding themselves perilously close to the relegation playoff zone. However, their last two home matches have turned the tide.

🔗 Few anticipated that the "White and Blues" would deliver such an impressive attacking performance against Krylia Sovetov, securing a 4-0 victory. Yes, their opponents played most of the second half with a man down, but the Makhachkala side showed no signs of letting up. In the previous round, they netted four goals past Khimki (4-1). It's worth noting that Dynamo Makhachkala scored nearly half of their league goals in just these two games.

📣 Dynamo's General Director Shamil Gazizov believes his team deserves to stay in the RPL: “We take it game by game. I have confidence in our play; it shows fighting spirit, a true Dagestani character. That much I can say for certain. I'm confident results will follow. As of today, the team's performance is worthy of the RPL. But we still have seven rounds to go.”

❌ In the upcoming match, Alexander Sandrachuk will be absent due to an injury sustained back in October. Additionally, the team lost Yan Dapo last round; he is out for the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a cruciate ligament rupture.