Zenit vs Valencia Prediction and Preview – 24/11/15
Champions League preview – Zenit vs Valencia prediction
Zenit manager Andre Villas-Boas is forced into a making defensive changes due to Alexander Anykuov’s suspension while right back Igor Smolnikov and goal-scoring midfielder Oleg Shatov will have fitness tests nearer to kick off. Viktor Faizulin is still in recovery from the injury picked up against Amkar Perm’ in September
Nuno Santos’ selection headache lingers with no fewer than seven Valencia players out through injury. The latest addition to the list is defender Shkodran Mustafi who joins other key players Diego Alves and Alvaro Negrado on the treatment table. Enzo Perez replaced combative midfielder Javi Fuego in the 1-1 draw at home to La Palmas at the weekend and may be preferred in the central role for the Champions League game in Russia.
Possible Line-ups
Zenit: 4-2-3-1 formation: Kerzhakov; Smolnikov, Garay, Lombaerts, Criscito; Garcia, Witzel; Hulk, Danny, Shatov; Dzyuba
Valencia: 4-3-3 formation: Jaume; Gaya, Santos, Abdennour, Cancelo; Gomes, Perez, Parejo; Mina, Alcacer, Feghouli
Statistics
- Zenit have won 7, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
- Valencia have won 6, drawn 1 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Zenit have scored an average of 2.5 goals and conceded an average of 0.7 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Valencia have scored an average of 1.8 goals and conceded an average of 0.9 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Zenit’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Chievo’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Zenit top Group H with a 100% record from the first four games, including a 3-2 victory against the visitors at Mestalla in September where Hulk scored twice. A point will ensure the Russian Champions finish top of the group and Villas-Boas will be keen to extend side’s run eight home games without defeat.
Valencia have been inconsistent on the road this season, ending a run to three successive away defeats with a 5-1 rout of Celta de Vigo on 7 November. They beat Lyon 1-0 in France to raise hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage but missed the chance to guarantee progression when defeated 1-0 by Gent earlier this month.
The Petrovskij stadium in St Petersburg is a tough place to visit, especially at this time of year and Valencia may have to wait until the final group game to learn their Champions League fate.
Tips
Zenit win at 23/17 with Marathonbet
Over 2.5 goals at 6/5 with Coral
Zenit to win 2-1 at 19/2 with BeVictor
What are your predictions?
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