Zenit vs Lokomotiv Moscow – Russian Football Premier League Preview

Zenit vs Lokomotiv Moscow – Russian Football Premier League Preview

Zenit vs Lokomotiv Moscow – Sunday, October 29, 14:30 BST/15:30 CEST – Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg

Zenit vs Lokomotiv Moscow will take place at the Krestovsky Stadium. (Manuel Veth / Futbolgrad Network)

Zenit vs Lokomotiv Moscow will take place at the Krestovsky Stadium. (Manuel Veth / Futbolgrad Network)

For the first time since July, Zenit are not top of the table – a seemingly impossible circumstance only a month ago, but a stark reality today. Lokomotiv have kept their head to take advantage of their rivals’ drop in form to take the top spot on some wins – the RFPL only considers goal difference after head to head records and total wins – and have an opportunity to hammer home their slender advantage immediately. Alternatively, Roberto Mancini will be looking at this for a golden opportunity to exact revenge and reclaim first place.

First, though he must arrest a concerning run of results. The defeat to Arsenal Tula last time out at home was eye-catching, but it was only one results in a run that has seen them fail to win any of the previous three, and just two in the last seven games since mid-August. Unusually, they have been unable to score in two of their previous three home league games, and with Sebastián Driussi having managed just one goal since July, the young Argentine is highly unlikely to start. In fact, none of the forwards have scored since Aleksandr Kokorin’s strike against Anzhi Makhachkala on 1 October.

However, despite their unexpected ascent to the top of the table, Lokomotiv have only managed one away win in all competitions in over two months, and last time out they fell meekly to Ufa, who Zenit hammered 3-0 at home earlier this month. Dmitry Poloz and Artem Dzyuba have earned decent game time recently as if to demonstrate the player power at Mancini’s disposal, and the Italian can spring a surprise or two on the Railroaders with his team selection.

One of Yuriy Semin’s strongest cards this season has been his faith in, and repaid form from, the less-heralded youth players in his squad. Mikhail Lysov has kept experienced internationals Vitaliy Denisov and Maciej Rybus our the side recently, while the renaissance of Anton Miranchuk, twin of golden boy Alexey, has added a more creative dimension to Lokomotiv’s attack in the absence of Ari.

The reliability of Solomon Kverkvelia and Nemanja Pejčinović at the heart of the defence has been a huge asset to Semin, especially given the long-term absence of former Manchester City defender and club captain Vedran Ćorluka. Other than the dramatic 3-4 win away to Spartak Moscow, they haven’t conceded more than one goal in a league game since April. On the same note, they have kept just one clean sheet away from home in the RFPL all season.

With a Moscow derby against CSKA followed by two long, tricky away trips to Dagestan and the Far East to come, the fixtures in the run-up to the winter break will be testing for Lokomotiv’s resolve. Facing a Zenit with wounded pride on their territory will be the sternest test of them all.

Zenit vs Lokomotiv Moscow – Players to Watch

Dmitry Poloz #7 – Zenit St Petersburg

The former Rostov winger has played his way back into the starting XI plans of Mancini in recent weeks, mainly in response to his teammates misfiring form. His low centre of gravity is a huge asset as he takes on defenders, so his biggest strength is his ability to run with the ball at pace. For the transition to attack his qualities are critical on the system Zenit play with two more defensive-minded ball-playing central midfielders, and he may be selected to test the composure of teenage opponents Mikhail Lysov.

Dmitry Poloz can be the difference maker for Russia. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images)

Dmitry Poloz can be the difference maker for Zenit against Lokomotiv. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images)

Manuel Fernandes #4 – Lokomotiv Moscow

The Portuguese playmaker has been in sensational form over the last 18 months and is the heartbeat of almost all Lokomotiv’s attacking play. His set-piece accuracy is unerring, but it is his pinpoint long-range passing and vision that present such a threat to any defence. Five goals in his last five games in all competitions represent just one side of his armoury; it is his unflappable calmness in possession and immense strength on the ball that facilitates the movement and incisive creativity of his teammates. If Zenit are to prosper, they must shut down Fernandes.

Manuel Fernandes has been in excellent form for Lokomotiv. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)

Manuel Fernandes has been in excellent form for Lokomotiv. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Zenit vs Lokomotiv Moscow: 2-1

Zenit vs Lokomotiv Moscow – Match Stats

  • Zenit have failed to score twice in three home league games for the first time in almost four years
  • Lokomotiv have failed to score in four out of the last six meetings with Zenit
  • Zenit haven’t lost at home to Lokomotiv for over 13 years
  • Zenit have scored the most and conceded the joint-least number of goals at home

Zenit vs Lokomotiv Moscow – Possible Lineups

Zenit Saint Petersburg

Formation: 4-3-3

Lodygin – Ivanović, Mammana, Mevlja, Criscito – Paredes, Kuzyaev, Erokhin – Poloz, Kokorin, Rigoni

Manager: Roberto Mancini

Lokomotiv Moscow

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Guilherme – Ignatyev, Kverkvelia, Pejčinović, Lysov – Igor Denisov, Tarasov – Fernandes, Alexey Miranchuk, Anton Miranchuk – Farfan

Manager: Yuriy Semin

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Andrew Flint is an English freelance football writer living in Tyumen, Western Siberia, with his wife and two daughters. He has featured on These Football Times, Russian Football News, Four Four Two and Sovetski Sport, mostly focusing on full-length articles about derbies, youth development and the game in Russia. Due to his love for FC Tyumen, he is particularly interested in lower league Russian football and is looking to establish himself in time for the 2018 World Cup. Follow Andrew on Twitter @AndrewMijFlint.

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