Russian Premier League surprise leaders Rostov face a stern test to their title ambitions when they take on reigning champions Zenit St Petersburg at the weekend.

Rostov, who beat Kuban Krasnodar a week ago to take top spot, are just one point ahead of second-placed CSKA Moscow.

Zenit, who thrashed Spartak Moscow 5-2 to extend their winning streak to five matches, sit third, one point further back.

Rostov manager Kurban Berdyev said he was pleased with his men's performance under the circumstances adding he expected a tough match on Sunday.

"My team live under tough psychological pressure since we've battled into the leading group," Berdyev, who led Rubin Kazan to their back-to-back Russian tiles in 2008-09, told his club's official site.

"But under these circumstances my men did well.

"The meeting with Zenit will be a tough clash as they're on the rise after winning their last five league matches."

Zenit, who have battled into the national cup final with a 4-3 penalty shootout win following a 1-1 draw after extra time at Amkar Perm on Wednesday, will try to extend their winning series to boost their hopes of retaining the title.

Their manager Andre Villas-Boas said he was confident that his team were capable of winning the league.

"We've won five tough games, against top teams on tough pitches," the former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager told Zenit's official site.

"We were nine points behind CSKA (during the season) and now we're two points behind Rostov, these have been some amazing performances.

"We will continue with our spirit and our emotion and our aim is to win the league and we are going the right way."

CSKA, who beat FC Krasnodar 3-1 to advance into the Russian Cup final, will face city rivals Dynamo, who have struggled since the Premier League resumed from the winter break.

CSKA look clear favourites on paper as Dynamo have lost their last five league matches but their head coach Leonid Slutsky warned his men against underestimating their rivals, who need points to avoid the relegation play-offs.

"I'm satisfied with the result and the quality of our play," Slutsky said after the match with Krasnodar.

"But every new match is an individual case. And every Moscow derby is a tough clash regardless of the teams' positions in the table.

"It will be a big mistake to take for granted our chances to earn three points."

Fixtures (all times GMT)