Spartak Moscow – Sevilla

Spartak Moscow hosts Sevilla in a match from Group E of the UEFA Champions League.

The Russian team have won two points from the first two games in the group after two consecutive draws against Maribor and Liverpool. They still have good chances to chase a place in the next phase of the competition, but they must start winning some games, if they want to achieve it. Now they will have the chance to do it against Sevilla on home soil.

Sevilla on the other hand are leaders in the group with 4 points won so far. The Spanish team earned a point against Liverpool in the first round and didn’t face any problems against Maribor afterwards. So far they look like favourites for the first place in the group and now they will try to underline this ambition with two wins against Spartak. If they manage to do it, they will be in a pole position for the top spot.

It’s safe to say that Sevilla are favourites against Spartak, but you shall remember that it’s always difficult to travel to Russia and play there. Liverpool also felt it two weeks ago, when they lost two points in Moscow. The distance is long and the weather is cold. Most surely Sevilla won’t feel like at home in the Russian capital.

In the Russian Premier League Spartak are in a run of two consecutive wins against Ural and Akhmat. But in the standings they are 5th, trailing on 8 points behind the current leader Zenit. If they don’t improve their performances, it’d be hard for them to defend their title.

Sevilla suffered a defeat in their latest La Liga game. The Andalusians were beaten with 0-1 by Athletic in Bilbao. This was their second defeat in La Liga this season. They are currently 5th in the standings, trailing on 6 points behind the leader Barcelona.