Here is the RPL’s best XI from matchday 29 according to data from InStat.

Goalkeeper: Aleksandr Maksimenko (Spartak Moscow)
InStat Index: 347

Other than completing his most important job - keeping a clean sheet - Maksimenko blocked three shots and made two saves, while also completing all but three of his 33 passes. 

Right-back: Vladislav Ignatyev (Lokomotiv Moscow)
InStat Index: 324

Ignatyev helped his side to a dramatic derby win over CSKA by winning all four aerial challenges - more than any other right-back - while only one other player in his position completed more interceptions.

Left-back: Miroslav Bogosavac (Akhmat Grozny)
InStat Index: 305

Although his side were soundly beaten as they conceded three goals, Bogosavac himself was more successful as he completed a key pass - one of only three in his position to do so. He also successfully dispossessed an opponent all three times he attempted to do so.

Centre-back: Ilya Gaponov (Spartak Moscow)
InStat Index: 330

Not only did Gaponov contribute towards a clean sheet, he also dispossessed four opponents, with no other centre-back doing so more often. He won all three aerial challenges, and even managed a shot on goal.

Centre-back: Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Zenit St. Petersburg)
InStat Index: 327

Rakitskiy completed a position-high 78 passes, one of which was a key pass. He also won a joint-high 10 aerial challenges for centre-backs, and completed both attempted take-ons. 

Defensive midfield: Magomed Ozdoev (Zenit St. Petersburg)
InStat Index: 324

Although he was only on the pitch for just over an hour, Ozdoev was extremely active going forwards as he completed all three attempted key passes, four out of five passes into the opposition penalty area and assisted a goal. 

Right midfield: Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moscow)
InStat Index: 326

Not content with completing by far the most passes in his position, only one other right midfielder boasted a higher success rate. Two were key passes, and four found their targets in the box. His only shot was also on target.

Left midfield: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Rubin Kazan)
InStat Index: 334

Kvaratskhelia was a man possessed in attack for Rubin, beating opponents 15 times and winning 17 attacking challenges. Three of his four shots were on target, while he also drew three fouls.

Attacking midfield: Roman Zobnin (Spartak Moscow)
InStat Index 416

Zobnin scored and assisted in the same game for the first time in his career, with all three of his shots on target. He completed more passes (50) than anyone in his position, with four of them finding their targets in the area, while he completed all three attempted take-ons.

Striker: Sardar Azmoun (Zenit St. Petersburg)
InStat Index: 454

Azmoun closed the gap to teammate Artem Dzyuba in the RPL top goalscorers’ race with a double, while also finding time to assist Dzyuba himself. No striker completed more take-ons or had more shots on target than him.

Striker: Aleksandr Sobolev (Spartak Moscow)
InStat Index: 308

Sobolev scored with his only shot on goal for Spartak, and although he was only on the pitch for just one half of his side’s win over Akhmat Grozny, just two other strikers won more aerial challenges while one had more overall successful challenges.