Russia
Champions Rubin Kazan and Spartak Moscow both enjoyed emphatic home wins to continue their neck-and-neck title race, set to go down to the wire with three games remaining. Two goals from Alexander Bukharov and one each by Gokdeniz Karadeniz and Christian Noboa handed Rubin a 4-1 victory over Krylya Sovietov Samara, keeping them in pole position with 56 points from 27 matches.
Spartak, looking for their first league title since 2001, have 55 after a brace from Brazilian midfielder Alex as well as a goal apiece by compatriot Welliton, Pavel Yakovlev and Jano Ananidze steered them to a 5-1 rout of Rostov.
Croatia
Champions and front-runners Dinamo Zagreb went down 2-1 at Hajduk Split in their derby, allowing second-placed Sibenik to close the gap to two points with a 1-0 win over Karlovac. Hajduk, 11 points behind Dinamo and boycotted by their die-hard fans who did not turn up for the derby, eased the pressure off their Italian coach Eduardo Reja with a rare win over bitter foes Dinamo.
A Dejan Lovren own-goal fired Hajduk ahead and Ivan Strinic tapped in the winner after Ilija Sivonjic had equalised in front of just 4,000 fans.
Ukraine
With one eye on their Champions League clash against Inter Milan on Wednesday, leaders Dynamo Kiev took their foot off the gas pedal and were held to a 1-1 home draw by Karpaty Lviv. Sergei Zenjov gave the visitors an early lead before Serbia midfielder Milos Ninkovic struck on the hour for Dynamo, who have 32 points from 12 matches.
Traditional rivals Shakhtar Donetsk cut the deficit to four points with a 1-0 win at Chernomorets Odessa, courtesy of a second-minute effort by Jadson.
Serbia
Leaders Red Star Belgrade maintained their four-point advantage after first-half goals from defender Milan Vilotic and striker Dejan Lekic helped them to a 2-0 win at Javor Ivanjica. Champions and city rivals Partizan stayed in touch with a 3-1 home success against Napredak Krusevac, after Mladen Krstajic curled in a free kick and teenager Adem Ljajic, on loan from Manchester United, headed in the second.
Poland
Champions Wisla Krakow stretched their lead to six points with a 3-2 win at Korona Kielce as closest rivals Ruch Chorzow suffered a 2-0 setback at Legia Warsaw. Wisla raced to a 3-0 led before the hour but had to defend desperately in the closing stages, while a Marcin Miecel double in the first half gave third-placed Legia the win.
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