FC Moskva keeper plays down club's title chances

FC Moskva's Belarusian keeper Yury Zhevnov is not convinced that the club, currently in second place in the Russian Premier League, can lift the title.

MOSCOW, July 10 (RIA Novosti) - FC Moskva's Belarusian keeper Yury Zhevnov is not convinced that the club, currently in second place in the Russian Premier League, can lift the title.

"A lot of people have been asking questions about the possibility of the title," he told Sport Express. "My opinion is that we are still a bit too inexperienced."

Unfashionable FC Moskva, founded in 1997 as Torpedo Zil, play at the 13,200-capacity Eduard Streltsov stadium. Despite the shoe-box nature of the ground, the team often play in front of less than half-full terraces.

FC Moskva travel to St. Petersburg to play Zenit on Sunday, an encounter Zhevnov said he was looking forward to.

"Petersburg lives for football," he said. "That gets you in the mood. I always enjoy playing there."

“I’m sure the team will battle for a place in the top three,” former CSKA Moscow defender and Russian international Oleg Kornaukhov told RIA Novosti.

The Russian football season resumes this weekend after a month-long summer break.

Table (12 games unless stated)

1. Rubin - 24

2. FC Moskva - 23

3. Spartak Moscow - 20

4. Krilya Sovetov - 20

5. Dynamo Moscow - 20

6. CSKA Moscow - 19 (11 games)

7. Zenit - 19

7. Spartak Moscow - 17

8. Rostov - 18

9. Lokomotiv Moscow - 16

10. Terek - 16

11. Kuban - 13

12. Saturn - 10

13. Tom Tomsk - 12

14. Amkar - 11

15. Spartak Nalchik - 8 (11 games)

16. Khimki - 4