Zenit – Benfica

Zenit Benfica Champions League tipsZenit Sankt Petersburg hosts Benfica in a key clash for qualification in the Champions League knockout stage. Teams are tied on the 3rd and 4th places with 4 points each … 1 point behind Monaco. The weather is expected to be cold in Sankt Petersburg.

Zenit lost last time 1-2 at home with Leverkusen, a big setback in their race for qualification. Hosts are looking far from the form they showed in the start of the season and at the moment won only 3 of the last 10 games in all competition … also lost 2 of the last 3, but at least they got a 1-0 win vs. Kuban in the weekend, getting some form and morale before this Benfica game. Zenit can be described in one word for sure: inconsistent. Today for the Russians Kerzhakov is questionable.

Bet on Zenit vs. Benfica with the best Champions League handicap odds at Pinnacle.

Benfica sold lots of players in last 2 years and in this summer, look clearly weaker than last season. But in contrast to Zenit, Benfica is in a big improvement and in great form, winning 4 games in a row, including 1-0 vs. Monaco in last Champions League outing. In the weekend it was a 4-1 win over Moreirense and Benfica enters this game with high confidence. Eliseu and Silvio will not play for the visitors.

When the two teams met in the first game of the group Zenit won 2-0 in Portugal (Benfica with 10 men for over 70 minutes), but today the circumstances are turned at 180 degrees. Now Benfica is the team in form and Zenit is struggling and I think the visitors have a very good chance to get at least a draw and keep the qualification chances alive … at least until Monaco plays later, but they will probably not win in Leverkusen. I actually think Benfica will win, they need the win badly, but I will cover the bet with the draw and tip Benfica +0,5 handicap. Cold weather will be in Zenit’s advantage but I don’t think it will be enough … Benfica is the more stable team with better cohesion and form, that is always a difference maker. Correct score prediction: Zenit Sankt Petersburg – Benfica 1-2.

Pick: Benfica (+0,5 handicap)
Odds: 1.90 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 6.3
Event date: 26 November

About Ocean

Romania – former junior football player. Football specialist. - EDITOR INFO & STATS

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