Spartak - SKA. Match day

SKA have travelled to Moscow for a KHL match against HC Spartak.

With these two clubs boasting one of the KHL's fiercest rivalries, it promises to be a blockbuster encounter in the Russian capital. However, having not won for nine games straight, Spartak find themselves in a complete mess. The Muscovites haven't taken a single point in 2017, languishing in 13th place of the Western Conference without any real hope of making the Gagarin Cup playoffs. Things came to a head in their previous game on Monday, as a heated discussion took place between fans and players before the 1:6 defeat to CSKA. It's not too hard to see where there problems lie either. Spartak have struggled to score goals, while happily conceding them at the other end. Indeed, SKA have scored 108 more goals than the Moscow outfit.

Nevertheless, SKA can't afford to take anything for granted. Swedish goalkeeper Markus Svensson holds a 90.1 saves percentage, and their top scorer is defenseman Matthew Gilroy with 37 points (7+30). Their main danger men are forwards Ryan Stoa and Lukas Radil, who hold a combined 66 points (32+34).

Beating Sochi 4:0, SKA got back to winning ways after a blip at home to Jokerit. The battle for first place is heating up with CSKA, with the clubs constantly matching each other's results. Currently, SKA hold a four point advantage over CSKA.

The Spartak - SKA match will begin at 19.30 local time inside the Luzhniki Arena, Moscow. Life78 and Match TV will broadcast live, and you can follow events on our official Twitter account.