Zenit and Lokomotiv in summit showdown

MOSCOW: Roberto Mancini's Zenit St Petersburg take on table-toppers Lokomotiv Moscow in the headline game of the weekend in the Russian Premier League.

The two clubs are currently level on 29 points from 14 games with the Lokomotiv side sitting top by virtue of having more wins this season.

Last season's runners-up CSKA Moscow sit third, four points adrift of the leading duo.

Zenit manager Mancini said he was upset with his team's recent troubles demanding his men end their three-match winless streak in the league and claim the outright lead.

"I cannot be satisfied because of that winless series, and I want only to keep on winning," Mancini told the Zenit site.

"We need to improve our performance quickly to keep up the pace in the title race."

Meanwhile, Lokomotiv head coach Yury Semin said he was pleased with his team's game and their results adding he expected a tough clash on Sunday.

"Lokomotiv showed welldisciplined and creative play. We've been fighting hard for the league's lead and we've achieved it," the club press service quoted the coach as saying. "Against Krasnodar we've played our season's best match.

"I expect a very difficult match on Sunday as we face the favourites at their home turf. And we will need to survive the pressure of their packed arena." -