Rodina Moscow vs Chelyabinsk

With the Russian Premier League within touching distance, Rodina Moscow host Chelyabinsk in what could be a promotion-clinching afternoon. Second in the Liga PARI table on 62 points — four clear of Ural with two games left — a home win seals direct top-flight football regardless of other results. Rodina have been impressive at Khimki all season — nine home wins from 16 — and three victories in their last five show real momentum. Artem Maksimenko leads the charts with 15 goals and will be the focal point, backed by Ivan Timoshenko (9 goals). Chelyabinsk arrive in poor away form (three wins from 16 road trips) and just one win in their last five. Yet Ramazan Gadzhimuradov (10 goals) and Garrik Levin (7) carry a threat — the visitors hammered Rodina 4-0 in the first leg earlier this season. Promotion stakes and a hostile home crowd make Rodina strong favourites, but Chelyabinsk's first-leg result is a reminder not to write them off. Our prediction: 2-0