A football season in Russia will be opened by the Super Cup match between the champions Spartak and the Cup winners Lokomotiv, the Moscow derby, which, by the way, will be held at the Railroaders pitch. Despite the fact, that Loko will be the hosts, bookmakers have set the People’s team as the favorites. Such action line deserves criticism but if we objectively approach the capabilities of the future opponents, Spartak’s potential looks preferable.
Spartak is remembered by its quality defense last season. The People’s team conceded 27 goals in 30 matches. The stats are not the same, as in CSKA – 15 conceded goals, but fine anyway. Within the 2016-17 RFPL season Spartak had 15 away matches, in which they achieved eight victories with three draws and four defeats, 20 goals were scored and 21 conceded. But still, Spartak conceded quite a lot away.
Lokomotiv basically failed the last championship of Russia. Only the eighth place for a team with top-four potential is not an option, nonetheless, Semin’s men have won the Cup, once again proving their Cup character, which the Railroaders may need in the upcoming game. Within the 2016-17 RFPL season Loko had 15 matches at home, in which they won only four games.
Within the last five Super Cup matches in Russia there was only one time, when the total was over 3.5 goals, but then, in 2014, CSKA were obviously stronger than Rostov, but now there is no such difference between the teams.
Prediction for the match: Spartak not to lose + under 3.5 goals in the match
