Zenit vs RB Leipzig
UEFA Europa League
Date: Thursday, 15 March 2018
Kick-Off at 18:00 UK
Venue: Stadion Krestovskyi (St Petersburg).
Defender Domenico Criscito bagged a massive goal for Zenit to make it 2-1 the final score in the first leg of their R16 tie with German runners-up RB Leipzig. The Bulls were in complete control when their star man Timo Werner doubled the lead late in the second half, but the Italian defender left Roberto Mancini’s squad in the tie.
It’s thus all open ahead of the reverse fixture at Stadion Krestovskyi as a narrow 1-0 win pushed Zenit through into the quarterfinal of the competition. Nonetheless, things do not look that good for Roberto Mancini and his men at the start of the year since Zenit are struggling badly for goals after the winter break. The team has failed to break the deadlock in back-to-back goalless draws with the likes of Amkar Perm’ and Rostov in last two league outings and they’ll clearly have troubles to go past Leipzig’s defensive line here.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side has kept a clean sheet in weekend’s goalless draw with Stuttgart at Mercedes-Benz-Arena, but only a single point from this fixture leaves them four points shy of Bayer Leverkusen in fourth place of the Bundesliga standings. The Bulls have generally struggled to get results on the road in the top flight of the German football, but they managed to dispatch Italian Napoli 1-3 at Stadio San Paolo in the last 32 round of Europa League.
Zenit vs RB Leipzig: Head-to-head
RB Leipzig have picked up a 2-1 victory in their first ever meeting with Zenit.
Goals came from Bruma and Timo Werner, while Domenico Criscito was the only Zenit’s man on the scoresheet seven days ago.
Zenit vs RB Leipzig: Prediction
Leipzig have only conceded two goals in last three games across competitions even though they by no means had an easy schedule playing the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Zenit and Stuttgart in the process.
Given Zenit’s struggles for goals after the winter break, we will try with the Under 2.5 goals FT as the main betting option.
Braver punters can try with Zenit to win 1-0 at 9.00.
Zenit vs RB Leipzig: Bet Tips
Under 2.5 goals FT @ 1.95
Zenit to win 1-0 @ 9.00
