Zenit St Petersburg vs Chelsea Predictions

• Chelsea have conceded five goals in their last three games.
• Both teams to score has landed in each of Zenit’s last four home matches.
• Chelsea need a win to secure top spot, Zenit can no longer qualify and have guaranteed a Europa League place.
• Chelsea are averaging two goals per-game in the Champions League.

Top spot the target for Chelsea

Chelsea head to Russia to face Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League on Wednesday knowing a win would see them qualify as group winners.

The Blues have already booked their spot in the next round and just need to match Juventus’ result against Malmo to secure top spot. For Zenit, this game is a dead-rubber as the knockout stages are out of reach but they have confirmed a place in the Europa League.

Back goals at both ends

Chelsea beat Zenit 1-0 in the reverse fixture but probably could have won by a bigger margin and they were rarely troubled. The visitors are in greater need of a result and may well win this match but Zenit do boast an impressive home record and at a bigger price both teams to score has more appeal than a straightforward win for Chelsea.

Thomas Tuchel’s men looked almost impossible to score against not too long ago but they have now conceded five goals across their last three games and both teams to score has landed in four of their last six.

Both teams to score has been a winning bet in each of Zenit’s last four home games and they have only failed to score in one of their 11 home games in all competitions this season. The Russian club also managed two goals at Juventus in this competition so they do have the quality to break down strong defences, and may well find a way through against Chelsea.

Chelsea’s need is greater

Chelsea are the only team who need a result here and as such I’m expecting them to pick up the win they need to finish as group winners. The London club are averaging two goals per-game in this competition and have scored exactly two goals in each of their last two games – both of which were away from home – so a 2-1 win for the visitors is the correct score selection.