The Matchday 21 clash in the Russian Premier League between Spartak and Zenit will take place on March 16 at the Lukoil Arena in Moscow. Spartak vs. Zenit: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Spartak
Before their defeat in the last round against Rubin (1-2), the Moscow club had won seven consecutive matches in the championship, scoring at least two goals in each of those games. The goal-scoring streak of Dejan Stanković's team in the RPL has now reached eight matches. In total, Spartak has scored 39 goals, with only Dynamo Moscow having more (42). In the standings, the team has dropped to third place, trailing the leading duo by three points.
- At least one opponent has failed to score in 8 of Spartak's last 10 league matches.
- The Moscow side has won 7 of their last 9 home games in the RPL (1 draw, 1 loss).
- The club has not conceded more than one goal in 10 of their last 13 home matches in the Premier League.
Predicted lineup for Spartak (4-3-3)
Aleksandr Maksimenko – Srđan Babić, Daniil Denisov, Alexis Duarte, Oleg Ryabchuk – Danil Prutsev, Nail Umyarov, Ezequiel Barco – Theo Bongonda, Marquinhos, Manfred Ugalde.
Defender Alexis Duarte will miss the match due to a red card in the last round.
Zenit
Sergei Semak's team ended a three-match winless streak in the RPL (1 draw, 2 losses) with an away victory over Fakel (2-0) in the last round. Notably, Zenit kept a clean sheet for the 12th time this season, matching Spartak in this regard. In the overall standings, Zenit has overtaken their arch-rivals. Additionally, the team boasts the best defensive record in the tournament, having conceded only 12 goals.
- The club has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 7 of their last 8 Premier League games.
- Zenit has not lost to their upcoming opponent in 13 consecutive league encounters (7 wins, 6 draws).
- In 5 of their last 7 away matches in the RPL, Zenit has kept a clean sheet.
Predicted lineup for Zenit (4-5-1)
Yevgeny Latyshonok – Gustavo Mantuan, Strahinja Eraković, Nino, Douglas Santos – Saša Zdjelar, Maksim Glushenkov, Andrei Mostovoy, Luis Henrique, Wendel – Luciano Gondou.
Defender Vyacheslav Karavaev will not play due to injury. Midfielder Wendel is suspended.
Spartak vs. Zenit: Match Prediction
For a considerable time, this rivalry has been known for its goal-scoring flair, but in the last two league meetings between the teams, no goals were scored. Almost exactly a year ago, when Spartak's deficit in the standings was much larger and a win was desperately needed, the Moscow club failed to score but also did not concede. Currently, the standings are tight at the top, with 10 rounds remaining in the championship. I anticipate that the teams will avoid taking risks in such a situation. Given the strong defensive records of both sides, this does not promise a goal fest.
Spartak and Zenit have the two longest clean sheet streaks in the current championship. Spartak leads in home clean sheets, while Zenit excels in this regard away from home. Both clubs are in the top three of the tournament for xGA.
I believe the high stakes of the match will result in a lot of physical play rather than goals. The intense rivalry is likely to prevent the players from showcasing their best qualities. Even in the final of the recent Winline Winter Cup RPL, there were cards of both colors.
My prediction: Total under 2.5 goals
