Two Blockbuster Matches, Unpredictable Spartak, and Lokomotiv on the Brink of Dominance

The third round of the Russian championship is brimming with intrigue, especially after the mid-week Cup matches have muddled all predictions. It`s now incredibly unclear which team is truly capable of what. The only certainty is that a victory for Lokomotiv would not only secure their first-place spot for another week but potentially establish a significant lead over their rivals.

Should Lokomotiv triumph in Nizhny Novgorod this Saturday and their main competitors stumble, their lead could extend to four points. For the third matchday, this is a substantial advantage. However, Galaktionov`s squad suffered a 1-2 defeat to CSKA in their first group stage Cup match on Wednesday, though they fielded a semi-reserve lineup. Given their opponent, Pari NN, currently shares last place with Sochi, a victory for Lokomotiv seems highly plausible, fulfilling the first condition for their potential breakaway.

The second condition, however, is more challenging: a staggering seven teams have already accumulated four points. Any of them could potentially catch up to Lokomotiv, including the offseason`s primary newsmaker, Dynamo, despite their evident struggles in matches against Rostov and Baltika. Valery Karpin, Dynamo`s head coach, commented on their situation:

For Dynamo, three games a week with travel includes Rostov and Krasnodar in the RPL, and Sochi in the Cup. Karpin`s team is scheduled to face the reigning champion on August 2nd at 8:30 PM. Another “super” match is Sunday`s clash between Zenit and CSKA at 6:00 PM. CSKA remains undefeated in 2025, even though their squad losses are more significant than Dynamo`s. Rocha, Khellven, Fayzullaev, Bistrovic, Pyanich, Guarirapa — these are just some of the players who have departed. Their new coach is actively reshaping the squad, sometimes relying on Krugovoy, other times on Glebov. Konstantin Kalutsky, author of the “Football with Kalutsky” YouTube and Telegram channels, offered his perspective:

After their previous round`s debacle, Spartak redeemed themselves on Wednesday in the Russian Cup with a 2-0 victory in Rostov-on-Don. They have also shifted attention to a new, record-breaking transfer: Portuguese midfielder Gedson from Beşiktaş has been signed for 27 million euros, marking the most expensive transfer in the “People`s Team” history. This Sunday, at 1:30 PM, the Muscovites will play Akron Tolyatti in Samara. Meanwhile, Baltika, the team that crushed Spartak in the last round, will host Orenburg three hours later.

Federal broadcaster “Match TV” is set to air both of the third round`s top clashes: Krasnodar vs. Dynamo on Saturday, and Zenit vs. CSKA on Sunday.