Spartak Moscow — FC Nizhny Novgorod : Match Preview and Prediction for September 28,2025

Spartak Moscow’s Unpredictable Style

Dejan Stanković’s Spartak Moscow is an incredibly unpredictable team, known for its aggressive and attacking style of football. However, the constant changes in the starting lineup and the Serbian specialist’s unconventional tactics often lead to entertaining, albeit chaotic, matches for the Red-Whites.

Team Form and Manager’s Absence

Currently, Stanković’s assistant, Sakich, is stepping in for him as Stanković is serving a one-month, four-match suspension in the RPL. Spartak won their first match without Dejan in a hard-fought manner, coming back from a two-goal deficit against Krylia Sovetov to win 2-1, thanks to a revitalized Ugalde. This victory allowed them to close within four points of Krasnodar in the standings, placing them in the top 5-6. Against Pari NN, we anticipate Gedson and his teammates to dictate play, especially since they already thrashed Nizhny Novgorod in the cup earlier this season. For the league match against Nizhny Novgorod, Spartak will be without Nail Umyarov (due to accumulated yellow cards), while new center-back Djiku remains questionable.

FC Nizhny Novgorod’s Defensive Vulnerabilities

Aleksey Shpilevsky’s Pari NN attempts to play an open style of football, but this approach often leaves the Belarusian coach’s team vulnerable defensively. In the last league round, the visitors suffered their fifth defeat in their last six matches across all competitions (including the cup), and they did so in a particularly frustrating manner.

Recent Form and Personnel Issues

In the dying minutes of a drawn match against Akhmat at home, they failed to contain Keliano in their own penalty area, conceding a goal to lose 1-2. This defeat leaves the visitors in the relegation zone, occupying 15th place. A trip to Moscow to face Spartak promises little good for the White-Blues. They will be without Ektov, Farina, and Tsarukyan for this match. These defensive weaknesses come at a very inopportune time for Nizhny Novgorod.