Zenit vs Spartak Prediction: We can expect an open contest

Prediction for the RPL Zenit vs Spartak match which will take place on August 24th. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

Zenit struggled mightily last season, but their problems disappeared in a flash at the end of the campaign. Since then, the St Petersburg side has gone on a 10-match winning streak in all competitions, enough to win the RPL, Russian Cup, and Super Cup. The Blue-Belo Blues have also won four of the first four rounds of the Premier League. Sergei Semak's men looked unstoppable, but then two key players were injured, Wendel and Maxim Glushenkov. This has led to a crisis of confidence for the Neva side, who were held to a 1:1 draw by Khimki last weekend but remain top of the standings.

Spartak has made an abysmal start to the season. They went down 2:0 to Orenburg in their opening game. Since then, the Moscow giants have been busy strengthening their squad, bringing in the likes of Ezekiel Barca, Marquinhos, and now Mienti Abena. The changes have led to a dramatic improvement in results. In their next four league matches, the capital beat Khimki 3:1, Krylia Sovetov 3:0, Fakel 3:0, and drew 0:0 with Akhmat. The surge saw Spartak move up to fourth in the standings, three points behind the leaders.

The last time Spartak beat Zenit in St Petersburg was in May 2012, when the rivals met in the 43rd round of the Russian championship - an anomaly in itself. Since then, Spartak has drawn at best and lost more often than not, and often badly. Now they have the chance to end their long unbeaten run. St. Petersburg had lost Wendel and Maxim Glushenkov, making the match against Khimki look like their own copy of last season's crisis when both meetings at the Gazprom Arena ended in 0:0 draws. Spartak might employ a different strategy with these losses, and fans must be prepared for this potential change. 

Not only has Spartak beaten almost everyone recently, but they have also been outstanding in the attack. They have scored three goals in five of their last six matches in all competitions, the only exception being the match against Akhmat when the Grozny side defended well and hardly attacked at all. It is unlikely that Zenit will be as patient at the back in their home game, so we can expect an open contest.