Petersburg’s Zenith club and former Russia captain Andrei Arshavin recently weighed in on the talent comparison between his old team and Moscow’s Spartak. The teams are scheduled to meet on May 7 as part of the 26th round of the Russian Premier League, a clash that already holds a lot of attention among fans and pundits alike.
Zenit has established a broad edge across key areas such as organization, financial strength, and the stability of the coaching and medical staff. This dominance has become increasingly evident over the last several seasons, and it is a recurring theme as the current campaign unfolds. Observers expect Zenith to continue asserting their performance on the field, both this Sunday and throughout the season, given their track record and the resources at their disposal.
At present, the immediate chase for Zenit is led not by Spartak, but by Rostov. There is a growing belief in many quarters that Rostov deserves to be considered the true second-placed team, edging ahead of Spartak and CSKA in the standings, a view that reflects the quality and consistency Rostov has shown during the campaign.
When evaluating the Spartak squad, questions naturally arise about how they might stack up against Zenith in a direct contest. The discussion highlights the level of Quincy Promes, whom some compare to Zenith’s attacking options in the sense that Promes can align with the top forwards in the league. He presents challenges similar to those posed by players such as Alexander Sobolev, Ivan Sergeev, and Mateo Cassierra, according to remarks attributed to Arshavin in a recent broadcast by Match TV.
Following 25 rounds of the Russian Premier League, Zenith sits on 61 points, leading the table, while Rostov holds second place with 50 points and Spartak sits third with 49. This snapshot captures the competitive dynamics of the title race and the gap that Zenith has built through consistency and depth. There was also a notable statement from former Spartak coach Valery Gladilin regarding the potential for the Russian Football Federation to establish a championship corridor that could impact how Zenith is perceived and how the title race might unfold in the final stretch of the season, should such a decision be implemented.