New order at the Moscow derby

Local derbies are always nervous affairs but today's encounter between FC Lokomotiv Moscow and PFC CSKA Moscow is even more fraught than usual.

Spotlight moves
For once the spotlight is falling on the capital's less glamorous clubs, while FC Spartak Moscow, who have won the Russian Premier-Liga title for the last six seasons, are struggling. The railway club have finished as runners-up to Spartak for three consecutive years, but Yuri Semin's squad are currently sitting on top of the league with 33 points from 14 games, while CSKA are five points adrift with two games in hand. Spartak are in third, a further five points behind.

Gazzaev steps up
CSKA, the army team, have not won the Russian championship since 1991, but they are reported to be the richest team in the country at the moment and are now managed by the coach of the national side after Valeri Gazzaev's appointment as replacement for Oleg Romantsev yesterday.

Spartak shame
Before the Premier-Liga broke up for the FIFA World Cup both teams beat Spartak. Lokomotiv, spearheaded by young Russian international Ruslan Pimenov, battled to a 2-1 victory, while CSKA, inspired by midfield general Rolan Gusev, embarrassed Romantsev's side with a 3-0 rout, Spartak not managing a single shot on target.

Player fatigue
Ahead of the dramatic encounter at the brand new Lokomotiv stadium, both coaches have talked about their leading players' fatigue after the World Cup. But the situation is more serious for Lokomotiv, with Pimenov and Narvik Sirkhaev both ruled out with injuries, while Marat Izmaylov, Dmitry Sennikov, Jacob Lekgetho, Bennet Mnguni and James Obiorah are all supposed to return to action after the tournament in Korea/Japan.

Perfect picture
All the leading CSKA players are fit to play in a match being dubbed in Moscow as the battle between the league's best attack and defence. CSKA have scored 25 goals in 12 games, while Lokomotiv have let in just six in 14 games. The derby is perfectly set up.