Friday 3^rd May (CET 13:00)

FC Enisey v Anzhi

Matchday 27 of the Russian Premier Liga begins in Krasnoyarsk, where it really now is do or die for FC Enisey. The Siberians fell to a late 2-1 defeat in Moscow against Lokomotiv on Matchday 26. Defeat against second bottom Anzhi coupled with FC Ufa picking up at minimum a point in their game would confirm relegation.

As for Anzhi, this fixture represents a golden opportunity to breathe life back into their survival prospects. Despite a struggle in their recent fixtures, Anzhi have displayed more competitiveness as emphasised by a 1-1 draw at home against FC Rostov on Matchday 26. Therefore, the match against FC Enisey needs to be used as a springboard to overtake FC Ufa and finish 14^th as they currently trail the Bashkortostan outfit by five points.

This game between the RPL’s bottom two could be very tough to predict, it pits the side with the second worst home record in the RPL against the side with the fourth worst away record. Expect a tight contest in Krasnoyarsk.

Friday 3^rd May (CET 15:30)

Rubin v FC FC Orenburg

Friday’s second encounter sees Rubin face FC Orenburg. Upon resumption of play after the winter break in May, many saw this fixture as being vital in the battle to finish 6^th and potentially qualify for the Europa League. However, both sides have gone in distinctly different directions since the break.

Rubin continue to stutter along, their Matchday 26 away 1-1 draw against Spartak was a creditable result. However, the Tatar side have not won now in 8 games and are firmly looking over their shoulders hoping not to get sucked into the promotion/relegation spots. Rubin have a tough finish to the season with trips away to face Lokomotiv and FC Krasnodar. So breaking their winless run in this home game is imperative.

FC Orenburg however, will prove stiff opposition. Currently in 7^th place and just three points behind Arsenal Tula, European qualification is a very real possibility for the Blue-Whites. FC Orenburg’s end of season run-in looks favourable and they could strengthen their Europa League aspirations with a win in Tatarstan.

Saturday 4^th May (CET 13:00)

FC Ural v Spartak

Saturday kicks off in Yekaterinburg with two sides looking for a win after disappointing results on Matchday 26. FC Ural’s Matchday 26 was a nightmare as they lost 4-1 away against relegation-threatened FC Ufa. The result and manner of the defeat was a shock for the Bumblebees after they had recorded two consecutive wins at home against Rubin and away against Krylia Sovetov on Matchdays 24 and 25.

Spartak however, go into the fixture in an even more desperate fashion. The Red-Whites were humiliated 3-0 away at Arsenal Tula on Matchday 25 and only managed a 1-1 draw at home against Rubin on Matchday 26. Spartak’s once secure looking grip on 5^th place has now dwindled down to just a single point advantage over 6^th placed Arsenal Tula.

Despite their disappointing season, Spartak do possess the 5^th best away record in the RPL, with only 3 defeats in 12 games so far alongside 5 wins from those 12 games. They will hope to draw on this in what is arguably a must-win fixture against FC Ural.

Saturday 4^th May (CET 15:30)

Akhmat v Zenit

Next we head to Grozny, where Akhmat take on Zenit. Akhmat gained a valuable point away against Dinamo Moscow on Matchday 26 which leaves them in 9^th place in the RPL, four points behind Arsenal Tula and still in with an outside chance of Europa League qualification.

As for Zenit, they recorded a home 4-2 win against Krylia Sovetov on Matchday 26 to maintain their lead at the top of the standings. This could be a pivotal weekend for the Light Blues as it could be the Matchday that guarantees them their first championship since 2014/15. A Zenit victory alongside Lokomotiv failing to win away at Arsenal Tula gives Zenit glory.

However, Zenit’s potential coronation will not be easy. Despite Akhmat’s home form being strangely poor this season, Grozny can still be a tough place to go and get a positive result. Akhmat’s unpredictability can also make them a dangerous opponent for any team in the RPL.

Saturday 4^th May (CET 18:00)

Arsenal Tula v Lokomotiv

Saturday’s Matchday 27 action rounds off with Arsenal Tula taking on Lokomotiv. Arsenal Tula’s upwardly mobile season continues, their impressive 1-1 draw away at FC Orenburg on Matchday 26 keeps them firmly in the race for Europa League qualification. This weekend sees the Cannoneers return to their Tula stadium, which has been a fortress all season.

As for Lokomotiv, they continue to steam along nicely. The Railroaders struck let to break FC Enisey’s resolve with a 2-1 win on Matchday 26 and will seek a win in Tula to strengthen their Champions League qualification ambitions. As aforementioned, Lokomotiv would have to win this match to keep alive their faint hopes of the title should Zenit defeat Akhmat. So there is a double motivation for the capital side on Saturday evening.

Arsenal Tula have lost just once at home all season, so Lokomotiv have a tough task trying to maintain their title hopes. However, the Railroaders are ranked second in the form guide over the last 5 RPL matches, behind only Zenit with three wins and two draws.

Sunday 5^th May (CET 13:00)

Krylia Sovetov v FC Ufa

Sunday’s action starts in Samara with Krylia Sovetov taking on FC Ufa. Krylia go into this home game in poor form and on the back of a 4-2 defeat by Zenit on Matchday 26. Despite losing, Krylia were at one stage in the first half 3-0 down in the contest and rallied just before half time to get the score-line back to 3-2 at half time.

FC Ufa’s impressive revival post-winter break continued against FC Ural at home on Matchday 26. An impressive 4-1 victory for FC Ufa revoked memories of displays under Viktor Goncharenko and Sergei Semak in past seasons. From looking certainties to be in the relegation/promotion playoffs a month to six weeks ago, FC Ufa, now have a realistic chance of avoiding the playoffs altogether in what would be a fine turnaround in fortunes.

Relegation six-pointer perfectively describes this fixture. Two points separate the sides and for both of them, three points would be hugely important. A Krylia win would increase their cushion over FC Ufa to five points with three games left and increase their prospects of avoiding the playoffs. A win for FC Ufa would also increase their survival prospects alongside leaping them above Krylia in the table.

Sunday 5^th May (CET 15:30)

CSKA v Dinamo

Sunday’s middle game sees a Moscow derby between 4^th placed CSKA and 12^th placed Dinamo at VEB Arena. CSKA go into the contest on the back of a poor 2-0 home defeat against fellow Champions League qualification rivals FC Krasnodar on Matchday 26. The Horses have stuttered in recent weeks and are in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

Dinamo also have a strong need for points, they remain in 12^th place in the table after their home draw against Akhmat on Matchday 26. However, they only lead Krylia Sovetov in 13^th by two points and FC Ufa in 14^th by four points with four games left to play. With both Krylia and FC Ufa playing each other and the possibility of a win for either, coming away from VEB Arena with at minimum a point would be ideal.

A glimmer for Dinamo is CSKA’s home form, only ranked 9^th out of 16 amongst RPL clubs. That said, Dinamo will have to produce an improvement on their away form all season to come away with anything from VEB Arena, as they are ranked 14^th out of 16 teams.

Sunday 5^th May (CET 18:00)

FC Rostov v FC Krasnodar

Matchday 27 rounds off with FC Rostov taking on FC Krasnodar. FC Rostov’s initial early season promise appears to be disappearing. Valeri Karpin’s outfit are now three points behind Arsenal Tula in 6^th after a disappointing 1-1 draw on Matchday 26 against Anzhi. With a vital Russian Cup Semi Final second leg against Lokomotiv coming up soon for the Yellow-Blues, it is vital that they rediscover their early season form.

Their opponents FC Krasnodar have in many ways suffered a similar inconsistency to FC Rostov since the winter break and this has likely cost them a potential championship triumph. However, their Matchday 26 2-0 home triumph over CSKA has strengthened their chances of Champions League qualification for next season. This, for Murad Musaev in his first season as manager, would represent a strong campaign for the Bulls.

This is one of the most difficult weekend’s fixtures to predict. FC Krasnodar will seek points in their quest for a top three finish. However, FC Rostov are strong at home only suffering three home defeats all season in 13 games so far.