Zenit vs Real Betis – On Thursday, Zenit St Petersburg will host Real Betis in the opening leg of their Europa League knockout series at the Gazprom Arena.
The defending Russian Premier League champions have dropped out of the Champions League, while Manuel Pellegrini’s team have qualified for the knockout phase after finishing second in their Europa League group.
Zenit’s first meaningful match since a 1-1 league draw against Dynamo Moscow on December 12 is on Thursday in the Europa League.
The Russian Premier League is presently on holiday, thus Thursday’s hosts have spent the last several weeks playing in friendlies and competing in the Atlantic Cup, a mid-season event for players who play in leagues that have long winter breaks.
The fact that Sergei Samak’s team has won the Atlantic Cup for the second time gives them confidence, but their major emphasis now shifts to two vital games against Real Betis.
Real Betis are in good form heading into the first leg, having won their past two matches in all competitions, including a 4-2 away triumph over Levante on Sunday.
Los Verdiblancos took a three-goal lead with to goals from Nabil Fekir, Edgar Gonzalez, and William Carvalho. Dani Gomez scored either side of halftime to narrow the deficit to one, but another Fekir goal assured the visitors would return to Andalusia with all three points.
Zenit vs Real Betis – Team News:
Dejan Lovren, who suffered an ankle ligament injury in the Atlantic Cup match against FC Copenhagen, will miss the match for Zenit St Petersburg. Stanislav Kritsyuk, who has been out with a knee injury since the beginning of November, is also unavailable.
Meanwhile, Artem Dzyuba has ten goals this season and will be in charge of the line on Thursday. Claudio Bravo, Martin Montoya, and Juan Miranda are all injured for the visitors, while Fekir is suspended for the first leg.
As well as Fekir, Sergio Canales might be another huge miss for the trip to Russia, with the 30-year-old a doubt for Thursday’s match after missing his side’s last two games following a positive COVID-19 test.
Guido Rodriguez missed Sunday’s clash with Levante due to injury, but the Argentina international could return to the lineup to face Zenit on Thursday.
Zenit St Petersburg possible starting lineup:
Kerzhakov; Chistyakov, Barrios, Rakitskiy; Karavaev, Wendel, Kusyaev, Santos; Malcom, Claudinho, Dzyuba
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Silva; Bellerin, Bartra, Pezzella, Moreno; Rodriguez, Carvalho, Rodri; Ruibal, Juanmi, Iglesias
Zenit vs Real Betis – Head-to-Head:
Our Prediction: Away Win or Draw
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