Akhmat Grozny are performing well below their potential this season. The club from the Chechen Republic have an excellent squad, with two players of comparable quality available in some positions. Under Stanislav Cherchesov, Akhmat had a decent campaign last season, occupying a mid-table position in the division. This season, the team’s form has deteriorated significantly and has clearly slipped beyond the control of the highly experienced manager. The club’s hierarchy did not react immediately. Cherchesov was given plenty of time to put things right, but failed to take advantage of it. Meanwhile, Akhmat found a replacement for the manager. Immediately after Cherchesov’s departure was announced, Rolan Gusev was appointed by the Grozny club. The former player was a seasoned professional and served as caretaker manager of Dynamo Moscow several times, but was never given a permanent contract by the capital club’s hierarchy. In Grozny, Gusev has inherited excellent circumstances. Akhmat cannot play any worse and have nowhere further to fall. The team will go into their next league match second from bottom in the table, level with Lokomotiv Moscow on 11 points. Their upcoming opponents also make a successful start at the helm of Akhmat more likely. Rodina also changed their manager earlier, appointing one of Russia’s national-team coaches, Jonathan Alba, to the role. After ending his time at Rostov, the Spaniard gladly accepted the invitation from the capital. Rodina head into the match on their best run of the current season. The Premier League newcomers have taken seven points from their last three league games. Their victory in the previous round was particularly significant for Rodina. Krasnodar, who are going through a difficult period, were beaten in Moscow. In Grozny, the visitors can hardly expect to take even a point. Firstly, the home players have received a long-awaited jolt in the form of a new manager and will no longer play without commitment. Secondly, Akhmat very rarely lose at home. Before the recent poor run that proved fatal for Cherchesov, the hosts had suffered just one defeat in front of their own fans, against Spartak in August. The selection is Akhmat to win.