In the upcoming UEFA Champions League round-of-16, Zenit St. Petersburg will host http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SL-Benfica-c40542 on February 15, 2012 at Petrovsky stadium.
Zenit have never played against the Eagles in the European competition before, yet they are favourites to better the Portuguese outfit at home, given that they earlier defeated the Primeira Liga champions, FC Porto, during the
group stage of the ongoing Champions League.
Zenit St. Petersburg
Going into this much anticipated Champions League encounter, Zenit are the favourites to claim all three points at home.
Though it took Zenit the last group stage match against FC Porto to book their place in the round-of-16, they have a decent track record against Portuguese outfits in Europe.
Zenit are in decent form for the upcoming crunch home match, having recently won the Dubai Matchworld Cup 2012. Shakhtar Donetsk, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Neuchâtel-Xamax-FC-c40024 were all involved in the
cup tournament.
SL Benfica
Though SL Benfica failed to win any of the stage matches against Manchester United, they played a key role in eliminating the Red devils from the continental tournament.
The Portuguese outfit is in prime form during the ongoing season. They are yet to lose a European match this term and their domestic form has been fabulous. Benfica have deservedly extended their lead to five points over the second
placed FC Porto with victories in all of their last 8 league matches.
Team news
Daniel Miguel, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicolas-Lombaerts-c27825 are likely to recover from training knocks in time for
the game.
Domenico Criscito will pass a late fitness test as the Italian national sustained a viral infection on Monday.
Reports in Russian suggest that Roman Shirokov and Bukharov are on the road to recovery but Luciano Spalletti has ruled them out from the upcoming match.
Expected Zenit Line-up:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maksim-Kanunnikov-c23221.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jorge-c19120 Jesus, the Eagles head coach, will have a welcome selection headache for the upcoming game, as he has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Expected SL Benfica Line-up:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ezequiel-Garay-c13071.
Key players
Though Injury had limited the Bomzhi striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186. Zenit’s leading domestic goal scorer and fan-favourite could open his European
goal account playing at home.
Zenit midfield maestro, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergei-Semak-c32976, could be key to opening up the opposition defence. The midfielder has played an influential role in controlling the midfield area of the pitch.
However, Zenit's defence needs to be on its toes if they are to stop the Paraguayan striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oscar-c28720 Cardozo. The former Newell’s Old Boys player has already notched 3 Champions League goals in 5 outings.
Prediction:
Zenit St Petersburg 0-0 SL Benfica
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