Lokomotiv, Zenit Russian title clash today

MOSCOW: Russian league leaders Lokomotiv Moscow could win their first domestic title since 2004 when they face Zenit St Petersburg on Saturday. Lokomotiv need only two points to claim the title but they have stuttered badly in the run-in — the 2-0 defeat at Krasnodar on Monday left them winless in their last three league games. But they are still four points clear of second-placed city rivals and reigning champions Spartak with another Moscow side, CSKA, in third place, one point further back. Victory against Zenit will not come easy for the railway-backed side, who have failed to even score in their last three Premier League matches. Zenit, whose coach Roberto Mancini is reportedly set to leave at the end of the season to take over the reins of the Italian national side, have their sights set on a spot in next season’s Champions League. Lokomotiv head coach Yury Syomin, who took full responsibility for the poor results in recent matches, admitted: “We’re all under tough pressure. But in any case I’m fully responsible for the team’s results. Mancini has told his players they need to win the remaining games to finish the season on a high note. Spartak, who beat 2-0 Amkar Perm last week after two consecutive league defeats, will try to keep that winning habit in Saturday’s meeting with strugglers Rostov.

Fixtures (all times GMT)

Saturday: SKA Khabarovsk v Krasnodar (0800), Tosno v Dynamo Moscow (1100), Lokomotiv Moscow v Zenit St Petersburg (1330), Spartak Moscow v Rostov (1600)

Sunday: Ural Yekaterinburg v Amkar Perm (1100), CSKA Moscow v Arsenal Tula (1600)

Monday: Anzhi Makhachkala v Akhmat Grozny (1630), Rubin Kazan v Ufa (1630).