Zenit Saint Petersburg vs Club Brugge
UEFA Champions League 2020/21 Season Matchday 1
Date: 20 October 2020, Tuesday
Kick-off 17:55 UK/ 18:55 CET
Venue: Gazprom Arena (Saint Petersburg).
Champions League 2020/21 officially kick-off with Russian giants Zenit Saint Petersburg hosting Club Brugge on Tuesday, 20 October at 18.55 Central European Time or 17.55 British Standard Time.
The teams are huge underdogs in Group F with Borussia Dortmund and SS Lazio tipped as favourites to grab the first two spots.
Never the less, both teams will be aiming to upset the odds and progress to the round of 16 this time, having failed to do so in 2019/20
Zenit bagged 7 points last year, but finished bottom of their group with 7 points.
On the other hand, Brugge managed only 3 points, all from draws and ended up at the foot of their group.
With not a lot to separate between on paper, these sides will be looking for a positive start this term.
Zenit vs Club Brugge Head-to-head
The only head-to-head meeting between Zenit and Club Brugge happened in the 1987/88 UEFA Cup first round. The Belgians had the last laugh with a stunning 5-0 win in the second leg to overturn a 0-2 defeat in Russia. Kenneth Brylle Larsen was the hero of the night with 4 goals.
Zenit have an excellent and 100% win record at home against teams from Belgium and a goal aggregate of 17-3. And over 2.5 goals was recorded in all except 1 occasion.
Brugge on the other hand have only won once in 5 trips to Russia and lost the remaining 4.
Zenit vs Club Brugge Prediction
Both teams have enough match-time on their bags and fitness and team cohesion is there setting stage for an interesting contest.
Zenit are leading the Russian Premier League standings with 7 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss from 11, importantly they won in each of the 5 games at home with a goal difference 18-4.
Meantime, Brugge after a wobbly start are back in business with a 6 match unbeaten run (5W, 1D) scoring 18 goals in the process. They too conceded just 4 goals during that period.
So, goals will be our primary pick and over 2.5 full-time to be precise, also since 6 of the 7 h2h games of Zenit at Saint Petersburg against clubs from Belgium saw the same.
At the same time, brave punters can back the home win on medium stakes with Zenit coming on the back of a 100% win record at this stadium against Belgian clubs. But I will be opting the draw-no-bet for the Russians, which I believe is a safe option on matchday 1 of a competition.
Zenit vs Club Brugge Betting Tips:
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Over 2.5 goals @ 1.80 odd
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Draw no Bet Zenit @ 1.35 odd.
