CSKA Moscow – Krasnodar – Thomas Giles prediction

CSKA will clinch the title if they beat Krasnodar on Monday and it would be great for them to do it in front of a home crowd. However, Krasnodar themselves have a Champions League place to fight for so the Army Men should not expect an easy contest.

Leonid Slutsky’s CSKA have won their last four games and you would back them to record a fifth successive victory, especially as they know the title will be theirs if they do so.

However, Krasnodar are not on a bad run themselves and their star striker Fyodor Smolov, who CSKA and Russia manager Slutsky will be keeping an eye on with Euro 2016 in mind, is in a great run of form. He netted a hat-trick last time out against Krylia Sovetov and has scored 13 in his last 7 matches to put himself top of the goal-scoring charts.

CSKA should win but I just cannot see Smolov leaving the Arena Khimki without another goal.