Valery Karpin probably didnâÂÂt expect tonightâÂÂs game to be a table-top clash. Both sides on six points, the winner will almost certainly qualify for the next round. For the loser? Well, there are three more games, so never mind.
ThatâÂÂs the problem with the group stages, thereâÂÂs a lack of urgency and suspense. CanâÂÂt we just go back to a conventional knockout format? And make it just for, er, champions? Pretty please, UEFA?
1) Alex is injured (not that one, although ChelseaâÂÂs Alex is injured too)
Thank goodness that is the only Alex-based confusion weâÂÂll endure tonight. We could have had all kind of problems there. Alex #1, ChelseaâÂÂs hammer-footed Brazilian, is out, while Alex #2, SpartakâÂÂs Brazilian playmaker, tore a thigh muscle during FridayâÂÂs 3-0 win over Alania Vladikavkaz.
Rest assured, Chelsea: Alex #1's absence wonâÂÂt be felt anywhere near as much Alex #2, who is one of the Russian Premier LeagueâÂÂs most creative midfielders.
2) Welliton is brilliant
The 23-year-old Brazilian was injured on matchday two against MSK Zilina, and only returned to the first team against Alania last week. Predictably, he managed a goal. RussiaâÂÂs top scorer is due one in the Champions League: despite racking up a rather impressive 16 in 18 matches in the Premier League, he hasnâÂÂt found the net in the continental competition yet.
Like Didier Drogba, he scored back-to-back hat-tricks in August, and his form has sparked a debate about whether or not he should swap his Brazilian passport for a Russian one and play for the national team.
3) Spartak play on an artificial pitch
The build-up to this match has all been about John Terry, and for once the focus hasnâÂÂt been on where the England defender has put his willy.
You probably donâÂÂt need this blog to tell you that it was at the Luzhniki Stadion that John Terry slipped on his bottom during a penalty shootout in the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United. It has been all over the news. NMTBâÂÂs mum doesnâÂÂt know what a goal is, but such has been the focus on the centre-back and the pitch, that she could probably regale you with the minutiae of that matchâÂÂs conclusion.
The plastic pitch is footballâÂÂs great leveller (or best excuse if you lose), and Carlo Ancelotti has got his excuses in early. At least weâÂÂre not forecast rain tonight in Moscow. It will be mighty cold, though.
4) Aiden McGeady will show English fans what all the fuss is about
The Irish wingman sustained a shin injury on international duty and hasnâÂÂt featured since returning to the Russian capital, but will play tonight.
McGeady has put in some superb performances since his big-money move from Celtic and it could be a ding-dong battle on that side of the pitch with Ashley Cole, who could be in a for a busy night. Fingers crossed fans in England will see why Scottish and Irish fans are raving about him.
5) Spartak haven't conceded in the group
Defence isn't exactly the strongest part of SpartakâÂÂs game, so Karpin is probably quite pleased that Drogba and Frank Lampard didnâÂÂt travel to Moscow.
The Krasnye-Belye have conceded 27 goals in 23 Premier League games, but somehow kept Marseille at bay in the Stade Velodrome. A third clean sheet and Spartak are as good as through; Ibson, used to shield the back four, will be key to them getting something out of tonight.
6) Jano Ananidze is one for the future
The young Georgian sub is one to look out for. The tricky winger is just 18, but has forced his way into advertising hoarding-destroying slaphead Temuri KetsbaiaâÂÂs Georgia team, and made his debut at just 16.
Ananidze can play on either flank or just off the striker, and he has the pace to worry defences. HeâÂÂs also got an eye for goal. Like every promising youngster on the continent, the "next Georgi Kinkladze" has been linked with a move to Arsenal, even though Karpin has said heâÂÂll reject bids for the youngster until he turns 20. Ananidze, not Karpin.
7) Spartak have only lost once in 10 games
Early on in the season, it looked like Karpin would be kicked out by the Spartak hierarchy â which wouldâÂÂve been a bid awkward, considering he sits on the board as well.
But Karpin has turned it round and a run of just one defeat in the last 10 matches has pushed Spartak up to fourth in the Premier League, and theyâÂÂve won six of the last seven games.
8) SpartakâÂÂs last game was brought forward to help them
SpartakâÂÂs fixture against Alania Vladikavkaz was moved to Friday night to give the Muscovites an extra day to prepare for this eveningâÂÂs match. They won 3-0: Brazilians Ari and Alex scored in the first half before another, Welliton, made it three just after the break, leaving Spartak nine points off CSKA Moskva in the third and final Champions League spot.
9) The Luzhniki will be sold out
This fixture is big news out east. Over 77,000 tickets have been sold so far. Spartak are one of RussiaâÂÂs best supported teams, while Roman AbramovichâÂÂs Blues are followed closely in his homeland. It also means a huge security operation is the order of the day in the Russian capital, and almost 3,000 police officers will be present in case it all kicks off.
10) They think Carlo Ancelotti likes tea
The Russian media have been a rather hospitable lot to the big teams in recent years. Sovetsky Sport presented Jose Mourinho with a trench coat before Inter MilanâÂÂs visit last season (he didnâÂÂt wear it on the touchline mind, the ungrateful git).
NMTB canâÂÂt recall Carlo Ancelotti being a renowned tea drinker, but the newspaper gave the Italian a rather swanky samovar, which should cater to all his hot beverage-making needs. This blog reckons it will never be used in the Ancelotti household, and itâÂÂll probably be hived off to a relative this Christmas.
Probable team (4-1-3-2): Dikan; Parshivlyuk, Suchy, Pareja, Makeev; Ibson; McGeady, Sheshukov, D. Kombarov; Ari, Welliton.
