Russian Premier League table-toppers CSKA Moscow will face another stiff challenge to their title ambitions when they face city rivals Dynamo on Sunday.

The Red Army side, who won their Champions League match against Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven 3-2 on Wednesday, are currently five points ahead of second-placed Lokomotiv Moscow.

Reigning champions Zenit St Petersburg sit third three points further back.

Despite the victory in midweek, CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky expressed concern over his team's inconsistent performances in recent matches.

Two weeks ago CSKA were trailing 3-0 after the opening quarter-hour at Mordovia Saransk but managed to produce a storming comeback to win 6-4, while, against PSV the Muscovites were 3-0 up at halftime but only narrowly held on after the Dutch side scored twice after the interval.

"We botched up the first halftime at Saransk, while the second half with PSV was also a disaster," Slutsky said.

"We need to learn quickly how to keep ourselves focused throughout the match.

"CSKA are winless in their last 12 matches with Dynamo. It's high time to put an end to this protracted series."

Meanwhile, Dynamo, who finished fourth last season, are solely focused on domestic action after being thrown out of the Europa League for breaking UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules.

The UEFA verdict has caused an exodus of foreign footballers from the club.

However, Dynamo brought in a set of players from their youth team, who have won the last two titles of the Premier League youth team's championship.

Head coach Andrei Kobelev said he believed that his men are more than capable of matching derby rivals CSKA.

"Although CSKA have played their recent matches in different ways they're a team that has repeatedly proved their high class," Kobelev said.

"We are preparing for Sunday's match very seriously. Though we've lost several classy players we're not going to sacrifice this season. We have high objectives and are set to fulfill them regardless of how difficult it will be."

Title holders Zenit, who also won their Champions League Group H encounter with Belgian club Gent 2-1 to stay top of their group, will on Saturday meet Rostov, who are in fourth, equal on points with the Saint Petersburg side.

Zenit manager Andre Villas-Boas, who is still serving a six-match touchline ban, said that despite an eight-point gap to leaders CSKA, the battle for the Russian title is not over yet.

"We can catch up with the eight-point arrears. There is still two thirds of the championship to go," the former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham manager said.

"The problem is we don't have a lot of options, we have a very small squad, the nature of investment at Zenit has changed a lot this season so we are struggling a lot.

"We don't have a lot of Russian players to fit the regulations in the Russian league. We're doing well in the Champions League, but not so well in the Russian League, so we have to adjust to the situation".

Second-placed Lokomotiv will play against strugglers Amkar Perm on Sunday also without their head coach Igor Cherevchenko, who has sanctioned in last week's derby with CSKA.

The coach has warned his players not to take any chances in underestimating their rivals.

"We shouldn't underestimate Amkar even though they've got just two points in their last five league matches," Cherevchenko said.

"They're dangerous, they have nothing to lose, while we need to get all three points on Sunday to stay in contention for the title."

Fixtures (all times GMT)