Russia's most decorated team, Spartak Moscow, is back in the world's most prestigious tournament. Despite failing to win the domestic title in the past 16 years, Spartak Moscow remains the biggest club in Russia. The Moscow outfits are currently third in Group E and are aware that victory over Sevilla and Liverpool's failure to win in Maribor will ensure that The Russian side goes top of the group.
Sevilla is once again playing the Champions League matches for the second successive season after finishing in the fourth position in Primera Liga last season.
The Spanish club tops the group where every team has a prospect of reaching the knockout stages.
Talking points
Spartak Moscow goes into this fixture after acquiring two wins in a row in the Russian league, with the latest one being the 2-1 victory at Akhmat on Friday. The reigning Russian champions are currently second in the domestic league table, only trailing leaders, Zenit St. Petersburg with just two points.
In season 1990/91, Olympique Marseille eliminated Spartak Moscow in the semi-final stages of Champions League- it remains the highest level the Russian club has ever finished in the competition. In 1995/96 season, another French side, Nantes bundled Spartak Moscow out of the continental game.
The Russian champions last took part in Champions League in 2000/01 season where they exited the race in the group stages.
Sevilla will be trying to make it past the group stages after failing in the previous season.Last season, Sevilla was among the five Spanish participants in the Champions League, but Los Rojiblancos didn't qualify for the competition through the regular means.
The Spanish club reached the Champions League competition by virtue of being the Europa League in the previous season. Manchester United of England qualified for the ongoing European tournament u the same route Sevilla had used.
It's in the Europa League that Sevilla has left a mark after winning the trophy on five occasions.Interestingly, all the five European titles have come in just eleven years.
Eduardo Berizzo will be on another mission of trying that his team maintains the top position in readiness to conquering Europe.
Team news
The People's Team (hosts' nickname) will go into this game with a serious injury crisis as most of the players are sidelined with injuries. The match will come too soon for Artem Timofeev, Roman Zobnin, Artem Rebrov, Georgi Tigiev, Jano Ananidze and Ze Luis who are all automatic absentees for the home match. However, Massimo Carrera will find a boost in the squad with Denis Glushakov and Quincy Promes returning to the fold after missing out in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool.
The visitors head into the match without Daniel Carrico, Nico Pareja, and Steven N'zonzi who are all injured.
Sevilla manager will be glad to welcome Nolito back to the fold after the striker missed the 3-0 victory against Maribor. Eduardo Berizzo will choose to start with Wissam Ben Yedder who scored the hat trick against Maribor while Joaquin Correa and Jesus Navas will be fighting for a place in the starting team. Guido Pizzaro will most likely fill in the void that the injured N'zozi is leaving in the midfield department.
Predictions
The visitors seem to be the outright favorite in the match that will be staged at Otkrytie Arena. The hosts have too many injury cases that will seriously affect the manager's team selection. However, the hosts may ride on the home ground advantage and the hostile Russian weather to stun Sevilla in the match. The game is likely to witness more goals with Nolito and Ben Yedder getting on the scoresheet for the visitors.
Final score prediction: Spartak Moscow 1-4 Sevilla
