Benfica vs Zenit St Petersburg Predictions

• A draw may be enough for Zenit, though they’d need to win if Lyon were to beat Leipzig.
• To qualify, Benfica must emerge victorious, hope Lyon lose and better Zenit’s 3-1 win in the reverse fixture.
• Benfica have the worst defensive record in Group G. They’ve conceded 11 goals in five matches.
• When Benfica last played Zenit in Russia, they won by two goals to one (back in 2016).

Benfica must win to stand any chance

Considering that they managed to avoid going into a group with any of the real big-hitters, Benfica would’ve had their sights set on thriving, though they’ve ended up struggling in Group G. Qualification is still possible, though the Portuguese outfit will have to better Zenit’s 3-1 win in the reverse fixture and hope that Lyon get beat. In truth, it looks a big ask.

Going forward, Benfica have often made their mark in Group G; they’ve scored in 100% of their games, scoring a respectable seven goals. However, they’ve let themselves down at the other end of proceedings, conceding 11, keeping zero clean sheets. By conceding at least twice in four out of five, Benfica have made life very tough for themselves.

Then again, Tuesday’s hosts did recently beat Lyon at this venue so they may be feeling confident ahead of this clash.

Zenit look to do the double over their hosts

The Russians are in a much more favourable position than Benfica, as they know that a win puts them through, while even draw may be enough. That said, it’s not easy to envisage Zenit going to Estádio da Luz and walking it.

Like their hosts, Zenit have been up and down in Group G. At times, especially at home, they’ve offered plenty going forward, though they’ve also shown a soft under-belly, conceding in all but one of their five matches.

Away from home, Zenit have picked up just one point. They drew 1-1 with Lyon, while they were beaten 2-1 by Leipzig. Their defensive performances on each of those occasions don’t exactly point towards them having it all their own way on Tuesday.

Hosts get the nod

Benfica haven’t been great in Group G, there can be no denying that, but their home efforts have been better than Zenit’s exploits on the road, so much so that they get the nod in the betting. Specifically, ‘Benfica to Win & Both Teams to Score’ stands out.

Defensively, both teams have floundered, so a low-scoring game seems unlikely, but it is the hosts who stand out as likely winners, or at least more likely than the current prices suggest. Last time out at this venue, Benfica got the better of a very useful Lyon side. On that occasion, they were clinical, which bodes well ahead of a game against a Zenit side that has given plenty away on the road. In Russia, Zenit are very tough to face but it’s well known that they don’t travel well. They can make their presence felt offensively on Tuesday, but their defensive exploits, especially when losing away to Leipzig, point towards them struggling.