- Head-to-head: FC Dynamo Makhachkala have failed to win either of their last two home H2H encounters.
- Form: Spartak Moscow are the form side with three wins from their last five.
- Recent H2H: Spartak Moscow have won two and lost just one of their last three H2H meetings.
Head-to-Head record & form favours the visitors
Form and standings
Spartak Moscow have won three of their last five matches across all competitions and are currently on a two-game winning streak. They sit 4th in the Premier League table with 51 points from their 29 games, while Dynamo Makhachkala are 14th having accumulated 25 points from 29 matches.
Dynamo have failed to win any of their last five games (D2, L3), while they also lost back-to-back home games during that run. In contrast, Spartak Moscow have won five of their 14 away Premier League games this season (W5, D3, L6) and score an average of 1.5 goals per-game on the road. They’ve scored 21 goals in total away from home this season.
Tactics
Vadim Evseev took over as Dynamo’s manager at the end of December and has implemented a pragmatic, disciplined approach which focuses on compactness, defensive stability and minimising risks. The hosts then look to transition quickly and exploit space in behind the opposition with long, direct passes.
Spartak Moscow play a more energetic, attack-minded style, pressing high up the pitch and trying to overload the flanks with speedy, wide players. Juan Carlos Carcedo has brought some fresh tactical ideas to the club since his appointment in January, but the foundations of his side’s play are the same as the previous regime - they press high, they play fast and they are always looking to get forward.
An attacking game in the making
Key attackers
- Gamid Agalarov is Dynamo’s main outlet in attack, but he is a lone player with little support and has scored seven goals in 28 Premier League appearances this campaign.
- Spartak Moscow have the attacking threat of Esequiel Barco who has scored eight times in 29 Premier League matches and has the ability to score anytime and anywhere.
Preview & predictions
We think that this is a clash between press and block, so we expect the visitors to have an advantage given their superior league position, form and the H2H.
Spartak are a confident team right now and will be keen to get to the game to face the hosts.
The odds are a little tight, but Spartak Moscow to edge this one at 1.98 is the main selection, while BTTS - Yes at 1.99 and Over 2.5 at 2.33 will also come through in this fast paced game.
