Spartak Moscow vs Liverpool

September 25, 2017
By: Milos Markovic

The weekend win over Leicester City will have been a timely boost for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool who face a challenging trip east for the Champions League group stage second round clash at out-of-form Spartak Moscow.

What’s going on with the Russian champions?

Spartak Moscow have only lifted the Russian Premier League title in May, but a couple of months later they look like a completely different team – disjointed, incompetent, demotivated. Defending the title is often considered more difficult than winning it and such a claim most certainly does justice with Spartak Moscow who – after 11 matches in the Russian league – are sitting in seventh place, trailing leaders Zenit by 13 points already.

Massimo Carrera is faced with a number of injuries to his key players this season and the club is currently paying the price for the lack of activity during the summer transfer window. The Russians failed to strengthen their squad in key areas, whereas their overall form at the beginning of the new season has been rather inconsistent. Spartak might be unbeaten over the past six matches in all competitions but only two wins during that time are most certainly considered an underwhelming result. The Russians started their European campaign with a fan-troubled 1-1 draw against Maribor in Slovenia and will very much be determined to get anything positive out of the upcoming duel against Liverpool as hard as it may be.

The hosts will be without Russian international Denis Glushakov, Georgi Tigiev, Ze Luis and Roman Zobnin who are all injured, whereas the availability of Artem Timofeev is questionable due to his knee issue.

Timely win for the Reds

The 3-2 Premier League victory against Leicester City at King Power Stadium this weekend could not have come at the better time for the Reds. Having failed to win any of their last four matches across all competitions, Liverpool needed a confidence boost ahead of the audacious 2.500 km long trip to Russia. Inspired by fantastic Philippe Coutinho who returned in style – with an assist and a free kick wondergoal – Liverpool managed to get their payback for the Carabao Cup defeat at the hands of the same rivals only four days earlier.

The Reds did grab a win but their defensive frailties have once again been exposed as Liverpool allowed Foxes to score two goals and even level the score hadn’t it been for Mignolet’s heroics during Jamie Vardy’s failed penalty attempt. Liverpool now shift their focus to the Champions League and the match against out-of-form Russians, and it’s up to Jurgen Klopp’s men to try and bounce back from the 2-2 draw against Sevilla if they want to stay in the running for the knockout stages.

Klopp could be forced to rotate a bit in order to keep his team fresh, but he luckily has no new injury worries. Bogdan, Clyne and Lallana remain the only three unavailable players for the visiting side.

Verdict

Liverpool make a long journey east as favourites against the wrecked Russian champions, who are enduring a difficult time back home. The Reds’ chances of grabbing three points in Moscow will have to be taken with a pinch of salt, however, given all the problems Jurgen Klopp’s men experienced over the past couple of weeks in the new season.

Top pick: Draw   4.00 (3/1) @Bet365

Alternative pick 1: Both teams to score – yes   1.78 (39/40) @Sportingbet

Alternative pick 2: Under 2.5 goals   2.21 (17/14) @188bet

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