In discussing Spartak Moscow’s current chances in the Russian Premier League, former striker Roman Oreshchuk offered his take on what lies ahead for the capital club. His assessment, shared with Euro-Football.Ru, framed a candid view of Spartak’s prospects this season and what would need to shift for them to challenge the leaders.
Oreshchuk did not mince words. He suggested that finishing in the top three would be unlikely and that claiming the league title appeared impossible at this stage. According to his analysis, Dinamo Moscow is more likely to contend for the championship, a development he notes has not occurred for some time. Yet he added a caveat: if the season were to take an unexpected turn, notably in a campaign run by Schwartz, Spartak might still have a shot—though in his view the red-and-white are currently stronger in the Cup context and have had finals where players could reflect on past performances.
As the league discussion centers on the 18th week of play, Spartak sits in fifth place with 30 points. Krasnodar leads the table at the winter break with 38 points, while Zenit sits two points behind in second place. Dinamo completes the top three with 32 points. These standings set the backdrop for the team’s return to action and the challenges ahead as the season progresses toward its climax.
Spartak’s immediate post-break fixture list began on March 2 with a trip to St. Petersburg for a meeting with Zenit, a matchup that promises intensity given the teams’ standing in the table. The game is scheduled for a 19:30 Moscow time kickoff, a time that has local fans marking their calendars as they anticipate a high-stakes confrontation. Following the Zenit clash, Spartak are slated to host Fakel Voronezh, a match that will test their resolve on home soil after the tougher away assignment.
The looming fixtures place Spartak in a moment of calculation and adjustment as the table dynamics evolve. The club’s trajectory this season has included periods of strong form and moments of challenge, prompting analysts to weigh the likelihood of a late surge versus the realities of the competition ahead. With several weeks still on the calendar, coaches and players are tasked with balancing offense and defense, managing player fitness, and extracting the best possible outcomes from critical fixtures.
Looking at the broader context, the team’s performance to date has generated a mix of optimism and realism among supporters. The season’s drama has produced memorable results, shifts in momentum, and a reminder that the league’s balance can tilt quickly based on form, injuries, and strategic decisions. For Spartak, the focus remains on building consistency, leveraging home advantage where possible, and maintaining a competitive edge in both league play and cup competitions as the campaign unfolds. The path to a top-three finish, or a potential title challenge, requires a blend of disciplined defending, clinical finishing, and timely tactical adjustments when facing the league’s strongest outfits. Fans and pundits alike will be watching how the squad adapts to this period of the season and whether the club can translate potential into points on the board. As the league moves forward, Spartak will aim to demonstrate resilience, capitalizing on opportunities and learning from every fixture to strengthen their position in what remains a tightly contested race.