Match Report
The table read 4th (Spartak Moskva, 5 pts) against 2nd (SK Rapid, 10 pts), 5 points apart. Recent form told a different story for Spartak Moskva: only 32nd in the league over the last five rounds despite sitting 4th. Scoring rates set the scale: Spartak Moskva 1.33 scored and 2 conceded per game, SK Rapid 1 and 1.5, with the league averaging 1.35.
Spartak Moskva carried a 5-game unbeaten run into this. The five-game form split read 11/15 points for Spartak Moskva against 4/15 for SK Rapid.
Otkrytiye Arena in Moskva, capacity 16,500, hosted the game. On the scoreboard, Spartak Moskva led 1-0 at the break; 2 second-half goals set the final 1-2.