Lokomotiv Moscow
- Lokomotiv Moscow have looked good for the top three in the Russian Premier League this season, currently standing 4th on around 30 points from 15 games, compared to Spartak’s 6th on around 25.
- Lokomotiv have been in great form, winning three and drawing one of their last six competitive matches, and our FK Lokomotiv Moscow vs FK Spartak Moscow betting tips suggest their momentum could play a key role in the derby.
- Mikhail Galaktionov has implemented a pragmatic, possession-based system at Lokomotiv that can be tough to break down.
- The home team are a well-drilled unit with good defensive discipline and structured pressing, and they’ve been playing some good, patient build-up soccer with good integration of youth players.
- But their talisman remains the prolific striker Aleksey Batrakov, who’s in red-hot form and leads Lokomotiv’s and the RPL scoring charts with double-digit goals by mid-November 2025.
- Dmitry Vorobyov and other attackers have chipped in with vital goals in recent weeks, but Batrakov is on another level and his form should be a major factor in Wednesday’s FK Lokomotiv Moscow vs FK Spartak Moscow prediction.
Spartak Moscow
- Spartak are currently 6th on around 25 points from 15 games.
- Spartak, on the other hand, play a more vertical game with a higher tempo and a lot of pressing.
- Vadim Romanov is their interim boss and it remains to be seen if he will continue to play the same attacking style or opt for a more cautious approach. This FK Lokomotiv Moscow vs FK Spartak Moscow betting tips analysis suggests styles will clash in an intriguing way on matchday.
- Levi García is their main attacking threat, scoring in the first-leg cup clash and remaining a consistent goal threat with his strength and directness.
- Pablo Solari adds width and link-up play in attack, while Gedson Fernandes, who arrived at the end of summer, has added goals and assists in midfield.
Head-to-Head
- Lokomotiv have won two of the last four competitive Moscow derbies, including a 4-2 league win at Spartak in August 2025.
- Recent derbies have been goal-fests with both teams scoring freely.
- Spartak have a slight all-time edge in H2H meetings, but recent clashes have been very close and feisty.
- Spartak lead the Russian Cup last-16 tie 3-1 after a convincing first-leg win at home on 6 November 2025.
Key Players
- Aleksey Batrakov - Lokomotiv’s talisman and the RPL top scorer with double-digit goals by mid-November 2025.
- Levi García - Spartak’s main attacking threat and scorer in the first-leg cup clash.
- Pablo Solari - provides width and link-up play in attack.
- Gedson Fernandes - has added goals and assists since arriving at the end of summer.
- Dmitry Vorobyov - has chipped in with vital goals for Lokomotiv in recent weeks.
Betting Insights
- Spartak are the slight favourites for this clash at 2.91, but we feel Lokomotiv are the most likely winners here at 2.42 with the draw sitting on 3.81. The FK Lokomotiv Moscow vs FK Spartak Moscow betting tips also highlight potential value in the home win.
- Over 2.5 goals looks like a great bet at 1.8.
Prediction
- Recent derbies have been goal-fests with both teams scoring freely, and we’re expecting another high-scoring game with both sides looking to punish each other at each opportunity.
- But Lokomotiv are a more stable organisation and we’re going with their home advantage and need to attack to make it a close 2-1 game, although Spartak should still progress to the last eight in this season’s competition.
- Spartak are without Srđan Babić through injury, while Lokomotiv could also be without Mark Mampassi, which could destabilise both defences.
- Aleksey Batrakov’s form makes the home side a big threat to Spartak’s last-16 advantage, but the two-goal lead means that the visitors should have enough to edge a close matchup.
