Valery Kechinov, a former Spartak player, offered his take on the clash between Red and White and Zenit as the Russian Premier League nears the 26th round. The veteran shared his thoughts through RT, emphasizing the high level of attacking play from both sides and predicting a match that should deliver plenty of goals for every type of football fan.
According to Kechinov, Zenit forward Malcolm is in sensational form and has been scoring in bursts, making him a constant threat. He noted that Malcolm is the player to fear when Zenit takes the field, given his current scoring spree and ability to influence games in waves. The assessment reflected a belief that Zenit carries significant attacking power, while Spartak must counter with composure and pace.
At this late stage of the season, Spartak sits in third place in the standings, trailing Zenit St. Petersburg who lead with a strong buffer. With 49 points for Guillermo Abascal’s squad, the team is positioned behind Zenit’s 61 and Rostov’s 50. CSKA sits in fourth with 48, underscoring how tightly packed the top of the table remains as the campaign progresses.
The 26th round features Spartak heading away to face Zenit on May 7, with kickoff scheduled for 18:00 Moscow time. The match represents a critical opportunity for both teams: Zenit to consolidate its lead and Spartak to close the gap and reaffirm its status among Russia’s elite clubs.
Evgeny Lovchev, who has long been associated with Moscow’s Spartak, offered a candid critique of the defense ahead of the 26th week clash in the Russian Premier League. His remarks highlighted areas where Spartak could tighten up and improve organization at the back to withstand Zenit’s potent forward line and quick transitions. As the season nears its end, such evaluations help frame the tactical decisions that coaches may deploy in a high-stakes matchup that could shape the final standings.