CSKA look to extend perfect start in Russia

On Sunday the Red Army side, fresh from their midweek 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon, face struggling Kuban Krasnodar.

A brace by Ivory Coast sharpshooter Seydou Doumbia and the decisive goal by Nigerian striker Ahmed Musa not only granted CSKA a place in the Champions League group stage but also provided a welcome confidence boost for this weekend.

CSKA have a three-point lead at the top over reigning champions Zenit St Petersburg, who take on promoted Samara on Saturday.

But CSKA head coach Leonid Slutsky said his men were taking nothing for granted against Kuban, who are sitting 15th with just three points after six games.

"We showed strong character and skills to win a place in the Champions League," he said.

"But we should never forget about the domestic league. Now we need to perform at our best in Krasnodar to get three points there."

Title holders Zenit, who beat Rubin Kazan 3-1 on Monday, need to win to keep CSKA under pressure.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas, who expressed his great satisfaction with his men's performance at Kazan, said Samara have been improving.

"It was really important for us to win especially keeping in mind that away matches in Kazan have never been simple," the former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur coach said.

"But the match against Samara, who are on the rise now after beating Kuban 3-0, is also very important for us.

"From the point of view of their results they weren't that impressive at the beginning of the season, but we have to be very careful. I expect a difficult match with Samara."

Two-time former champions Lokomotiv Moscow, who are four points back in third, will have to pass a serious test to their ambitions on Sunday as they take on FC Krasnodar, third last season.

The railway-backed side have won all four away matches this season, while both of their home games ended in draws. But Lokomotiv manager Igor Cherevchenko denied they have problems playing at home.

"It's just a pure coincidence," he said.

"We've played too few home matches this season. And I believe the upcoming match is a good opportunity to start winning at our home turf."

Fixtures (all times GMT)

Friday

Ural Yekaterinburg v Terek Grozny (1400), Rostov v Amkar Perm (1700)

Saturday

Dynamo Moscow v Ufa (1100), Zenit St Petersburg v Samara (1400), Spartak Moscow v Anzhi Makhachkala (1630)

Sunday

Lokomotiv Moscow v FC Krasnodar (1030), Mordovia Saransk v Rubin Kazan (1400), Kuban Krasnodar v CSKA Moscow (1700)