No sooner has the 2019/20 Russian Premier League season ended, the new 2020/21 campaign has begun. This week we see the second round of fixtures in the new season, one of which is between Spartak Moscow and Akhmat Groznyi at the Otkrytiye Arena.
The hosts come into this match having picked up a point in their first game at home against Sochi. It was a disappointing result against a team that finished below them in the league last season. The fact Spartak Moscow took on early 2-0 lead only to go on an concede 2 goals, one of which was in the final minute of the game, will only add to their anger.
The result should not have come as a major surprise to Spartak Moscow fans as their team has been struggling at home in the Premier League. Trends show Spartak Moscow have won only one of their last 7 home league games. There were 3 defeats and 3 draws in those 7 matches but the victory did come against their upcoming opponents.
Spartak Moscow have scored at least two goals in their last 3 league games but have been struggling to keep clean sheets at home. Both teams have scored in 3 of their last 4 home matches in the Russian Premier League. There were also over 2.5 goals scored in those 3 games.
Akhmat Groznyi make the trip to Moscow having started their new season with a 0-0 draw at Arsenal Tula. Considering Arsenal Tula finished 5 points better off than them last season It was a decent result for Akhmat Groznyi.
Trends show that in their 6 most recent matches in the Russian Premier League, Akhmat Groznyi have achieved just one victory. That came at Tambov towards the end of last season, a team which narrowly avoided relegation.
Akhmat Groznyi have lost by 3 or more goals in 3 of their last 6 league games and have failed to find the back of the net once in their last 3 on the road. However, they have lost only 3 of their previous 10 away matches in the league, picking up 2 draws and 4 wins.
Looking ahead to the team news and Spartak Moscow could be without Aleksandr Tashaev, who is carrying over an injury from last season. Ezequiel Ponce is pushing for a place in the starting XI having been on the bench last time out.
Akhmat Groznyi will be without the injured duo of Angel Wilker and Rizvan Utsiev. Defender Magomed Musalov is also struggling to make the game with a muscle injury.
There is no doubt Spartak Moscow have the ability to score goals in this game but they could struggle to keep out the opposition. We expect to see both teams finding the back of the net and the match could end in a draw. There is also strong possibility of seeing over 2.5 goals scored.