Russian Premier League surprise leaders Rostov are hoping to give their unlikely title challenge a massive boost when they visit Amkar Perm on Friday.

Rostov, who have won their last four league matches, and CSKA Moscow share the lead in the Russian championship, both with 40 points from 20 matches, while another Moscow side Lokomotiv sit third, five points behind the leading duo.

Though Rostov lead the league due to a better goal difference in their head-to-head matches with CSKA this season, their manager Kurban Berdyev is far from being overly optimistic about his side's title prospects, saying he has just prepared his men for the next match in turn.

"We aren't developing any long-term plans, we try not to look at the league table, we just try to show our best in every single match," said Berdyev, who led Rubin Kazan to back-to-back Russian titles in 2008-09.

"In this sense, our next match in Perm is no less important than the previous clash with CSKA."

Berdyev added that he believed that after a defeat in their last Premier League match at Spartak Moscow, Amkar will try to redeem themselves in front of their home crowd.

"I expect a tough clash on Friday," he said. "Amkar are a very well-organised team. They're dangerous especially on their home turf."

Meanwhile, CSKA will have a chance to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat at Rostov a week ago when they take on strugglers Kuban Krasnodar on Saturday.

Though Kuban beat visitors Samara 2-0 last week they are still just three points above the relegation zone.

CSKA look clear favourites on paper but their head coach Leonid Slutsky warned his men against underestimating their rivals, who desperately need points to avoid relegation.

"Beating Kuban is easier said than done," Slutsky said. "It's a big mistake to take for granted our chances to earn three points against them."

"Last week we experienced serious problems in battling through Rostov's well-organised defence. We obviously lacked variety in attack. The match against Kuban is unlikely to be easier."

Reigning champions Zenit St Petersburg, who beat Rubin Kazan 4-2 last week, will hope to extend their winning run when they visit Samara on Sunday.

Zenit's Brazilian sharpshooter Hulk said he believed his team were capable of retaining their Russian title.

"After we failed to advance into the Champions League quarter-finals we need to focus on our performance in the league," Hulk said in an interview with Zenit official site.

"There are still 10 matches remaining and we hope to win them all. It's difficult but possible. And we're set to perform at our best to make it happen."

Fixtures (all times GMT)