Anderlecht vs Zenit Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Anderlecht managed to make it through to the final 32 of the Europa League despite losing their final group game against Saint Etienne at the start of December. This left them 2nd in the group with one less point than group winners Saint Etienne. That defeat, which saw Saint Etienne take the group victory, has left them facing Zenit in this round whilst the winners have a trip to Old Trafford to contend with.

Anderlecht have shown some excellent form since then though, winning six and drawing three of their nine matches since that defeat. Their outing on Sunday saw them beat Zulte-Waragem 4-2 at home, to put them level on points with Club Brugge at the top of the Belgian First Division.

Zenit absolutely breezed through their own Europa League group stages with five wins from their six games. Their only defeat came away to AZ in the final group match, which is understandable considering they already had the top spot wrapped up at that point.

That defeat was Zenit’s last competitive match, as the lengthy Russian winter break has limited them to friendlies alone since then. Their friendly performances have largely been a bit mediocre, but that isn’t something you can read into too much.

Competitively they have won ten and lost four of their last 15 matches in all competitions, putting them 2nd in the Russian Premier League with a five point gap to make up on league leaders Spartak Moscow. Away from home they are winless in five competitive matches though and have lost four of them, so things could be tough for the visitors here.

These teams both saw a fair few high scoring games in the group stages. Four of Anderlecht’s six group games saw at least three goals scored, including all three of their home matches. Zenit’s group matches saw five of their six games have at least three goals, including all of their away days. This makes odds of 21/20 for Over 2.5 Goals look a good value bet, so I’m backing that alongside a 2-2 correct score predictions at 14/1.