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One of the most interesting matches of today`s Champions League (qualification-wise) will see AS Monaco take on Zenit Sankt Petersburg in France. The math is simple here, Monaco needs a draw to go trough, Zenit needs a win. Both sides also have an outside shot at finishing first (if Leverkusen loses or draws with Benfica), but surely qualification is the only thing on Monaco’s and Zenit’s minds.
The hosts have been surprisingly effective this season in the Champions League, despite the fact that they lost a lot of key players and are struggling big time in France (though they improved recently with 2 consecutive wins to nil). Monaco has 8 points in 5 games and it is largely due to their amazing defense – the French side allowed just 1 goal so far in the group stage and has an unbelievable goal difference of 2-1. Look for Monaco to play a good tactical game again, letting Zenit run the show, closing down and hoping for a draw or a counterattack goal. Surely they will play this for 0-0.
Zenit has not managed to translate their domestic goalscoring record on the big stage, and this is why they are only on the third place right now, 1 point under Monaco and 2 points under Leverkusen. They scored just 4 goals, but also conceded only 4. On the bright side Zenit is not looking bad at all recently, winning 4 of their last 5 (including over Benfica), each time without conceding a goal.
Bet on Monaco vs. Zenit with the best UCL under/over odds at Ladbrokes.com.
Team news & lineups:
Kurzawa and Carvalho are out for Monaco, while question marks over Raggi’s and Kondogbia’s fitness. Zenit has no injuries or suspensions aside for Kerzhakov.
AS Monaco: Subasic – Fabinho, Toulalan, Abdennour, Raggi – Joao Moutinho, Bakayoko – Bernardo Silva, Ferreira Carrasco, Martial – Berbatov
Zenit St. Petersburg: Lodygin – Anyukov, Garay, Lombaerts, Criscito – Javi Garcia, Witsel – Hulk, Danny, Ryazantsev – Rondon
Monaco is playing total defensive football especially in the Champions League, and with qualification on the line we should expect them to really close down in this game. Zenit has been rather shy in goals themselves and on the road they never were a big threat in Europe goal scoring wise. The 0-0 draw in Russia is pretty relevant about how these two teams match up. Huge stakes here, so expect both sides to approach the game very careful, Monaco will hope to maintain a 0-0 score while Zenit will try not to fall behind and force the winning goal towards the end
Even if somebody manages to get a 1-0 lead, the game should not change much – Monaco would park the bus, Zenit would do the same and probably deny a sterile Monaco the chance to comeback. I feel as the visitors could edge this, they are the better team, but my tip is under 2,5 goals. Odds at Ladbrokes are really good on this bet considering the circumstances. Prediction: AS Monaco – Zenit Sankt Petersburg 0-1.
Pick: under 2,5 goals
Odds: 1.65 @ Ladbrokes
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 5.85
Event date: 9 December
