Spartak Moscow and FC Moscow UEFA Cup match preview

Spartak Moscow and FC Moscow head into the second leg of their respective UEFA Cup matches later today.

Spartak Moscow host FC Baník Ostrava at Luzhniki Stadium after winning the opening round in the Czech Republic 1-0 on the strength of Malik Fathi's goal. Since taking over, Michael Laudrup has breathed life into the club and since the first match they narrowly lost to likely champion Rubin Kazan and defeating Shinnik Yaroslav.

FC Moscow's situation is less positive as they lost the opening match 2-1 at home to F.C. København, giving up a costly goal by Libor Sionko, three minutes into added time. Their stunning 1-0 upset of Rubin Kazan could signal their readiness but they will need to pressure København to overcome the "away" goal deficit. Working against them is Ståle Solbakken's club haven't conceded two goals in a match this year and the best defensive club in the Danish Danish Superliga.