Portuguese champions Benfica take on Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg in the first leg of their Champions League last-sixteen tie. The two sides were drawn in the same Champions League group last season, Zenit won both matches but neither of the two managed to push through to the knockout stage. They have also clashed in the last-sixteen round in 2012, back then Benfica managed to pull through after a 2-0 win at home and a 3-2 loss in Russia.
Benfica are fighting to defend their Primeira Liga title but they might not pull it off as they are second at the moment, three points behind leaders Sporting. Last week they suffered a pretty big blow as they were defeated 2-1 at home by bitter rivals FC Porto. Beofre that setback they had enjoyed a 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions, with 12 wins and just one draw. Luisao and Pedro Rebocho will miss out through injury, while Lisandro Lopez and Lubomir Fejsa will have to face late fitness tests.
Zenit St. Petersburg are slightly disadvantaged before this match as their domestic competitions are still on a long winter break. They have not played a competitive match since the start of December, but have kept busy with friendlies played in warmer areas of the planet. Their title defense bid is not going too well, they are currently 6th in the Russian Premier League, 7 points behind leaders CSKA Moscow. Viktor Faizulin, Vyacheslav Malafeev and Igor Smolnikov are all injured for Tuesday's match, but Aleksandr Ryazantsev might recover in time.
Probable line-ups:
Benfica: Cesar - Silvio, Lopez, Jardel, Eliseu - Pizzi, Almeida, Sanches, Gaitan - Jonas, Mitroglou
Zenit: Lodygin - Anyukov, Garay, Lombaerts, Criscito - Garcia, Witsel - Hulk, Danny, Shatov - Dzyuba
My prediction: Benfica to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Benfica win - 2.15 Draw - 3.30 Zenit win - 3.90
sharpe
8 years ago
The Russian teams and especially Zenit could be much more efficient in CL especially when we know the huge amount of money they spending for a players. Benfica has a lot of experience in the European tournament, in fact both teams have but Portuguese works in a lot better way with their local players I think compared to...
The Russian teams and especially Zenit could be much more efficient in CL especially when we know the huge amount of money they spending for a players. Benfica has a lot of experience in the European tournament, in fact both teams have but Portuguese works in a lot better way with their local players I think compared to the Russian's approach and in the end they are more successful without spending big which says it all really.
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milo?.sekuli?
8 years ago
Benfica had several important games in the last time and the form is on their side.They must win tonight, because in Russia that will be almost impossible, plus injured players may recover by then. Because of that pressure a draw is possible too,both teams are of similar quality, so my bet is on draw with under 2.5 goals.
Benfica had several important games in the last time and the form is on their side.They must win tonight, because in Russia that will be almost impossible, plus injured players may recover by then. Because of that pressure a draw is possible too,both teams are of similar quality, so my bet is on draw with under 2.5 goals.
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advoghado
8 years ago
I think Benfica team is a little nervous for this game after the defeat to Porto in their stadium in the classic Portuguese, and should still feel the absence of Luisão and Rebocho, and may be without Lizandro Lopez and Fesja. The Zenit is a mystery, because the winter stop in the Major League, has not faced a decent team...
I think Benfica team is a little nervous for this game after the defeat to Porto in their stadium in the classic Portuguese, and should still feel the absence of Luisão and Rebocho, and may be without Lizandro Lopez and Fesja. The Zenit is a mystery, because the winter stop in the Major League, has not faced a decent team in recent games but have good players from the middle forward as Hulk, Danny, Shatov, and Dzyuba, I think that in this game the two teams will score goals.
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