Spartak M – Dynamo Makhachkala

Spartak will defeat the outsider

On Saturday, 19 July, Spartak will play their first match in the RPL. The Red-Whites have a very easy calendar in the first part of the season. Almost an ideal opponent for the start. Dynamo have lost several key players, but have not bought anyone at all. Bookmakers consider the team the main contender for relegation. Spartak have also not made any noise in the transfer market so far - they have only signed Anton Zabolotny. "The Red and Whites" are now the second favourites for the championship in the bookmakers' line after Zenit despite the weak deal activity. Spartak have no leaders left. Even Manfred Ugalde remained, although he was the main contender for promotion. "The Red and Whites" possess one of the most expensive squads in the league. Dejan Stankovic has two or three suitors for some positions. Spartak looked confident in the friendly matches. At the same time, a switch to a scheme with three centre-backs is possible. That's how they played against Torpedo. Spartak defeated the Black and Whites, drew with Krylia Sovetov and defeated Serbian Spartak Subotica 4-1. The team faced very weak opponents, so such results are no reason for global optimism. For Makhachkala, the summer turns out to be quite sad. Dinamo has financial difficulties. The club didn't buy any players at all, but they failed to keep their leaders. Abakar Gadzhiev and Egash Kasintura left for Akhmat. Gadzhiev was one of the few who managed to create chances through individual actions. Legionary Kasintura acted competently on the flank. There is no equal replacement in the squad. Dynamo played very cautiously in the first part of the last season - almost didn't break the total. Later the situation changed - the team began to act more boldly. Now it is likely to revert to a cautious tactics with five defenders. It will be very difficult to attack now. There are not enough quality players on the flanks. Last season Dinamo sensationally won in Moscow. Interestingly, they defeated Spartak as many as twice - there was also a victory in the Cup. It is logical to expect a big score in such a match. Spartak are motivated and angry at their opponents. Besides, the first game at home is an emotional factor. A result is very likely. Spartak has goal-hungry strikers: Levi Garcia scored little last season, Marquinhos played on the wing in attack and didn't excel at all in the RPL. In other words, the team will definitely not hold a minimal advantage. The huge rotation in Spartak also speaks for the rout. Stankovic has a very large selection of performers in attack. The same Pablo Solari can start in the reserves.