H2H: Zenit vs. RB Leipzig – Prediction (Champions League

Preview and Teams Comparison.

Zenit are yet to beat RB Leipzig in European competition in three attempts (W0 D1 L2), facing them twice in the UEFA Europa League in March 2018 and on MD3 of this season’s UEFA Champions League. Zenit have won their last 14 group stage matches at home in the UEFA Europa League and Champions League combined, a run stretching back to November 2014, when they lost 2-1 to Bayer Leverkusen.

While Zenit St Petersburg have lost just one of their last seven competitive matches (W5, D1), that defeat was to RB Leipzig in the reverse fixture. The Russians netted the opener in that match, just as they have in six of their previous seven fixtures. Artem Dzyuba has scored the opener in four of the last five Zenit fixtures that he’s netted in. At home, the hosts are unbeaten in 16 games (W13, D3 – in all competitions), with an impressive 11 of their victories across that period being achieved with at least a -1 handicap. After winning 12 of their previous 14 European home fixtures (D1, L1), and with a 84.21% unbeaten rate in UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage home matches (W8, D8, L3), Zenit aren’t likely to be pushovers.

Zenit have won two of their previous nine games in St Petersburg versus Bundesliga opposition (D2, L5). Seven of Leipzig’s last eight UCL matches saw the opener scored by the 30th minute. Seven of Zenit’s last nine UCL home wins were achieved by at least a -1 handicap.

RB Leipzig are in stunning form after netting 14 goals across their last two competitive matches, although both teams have scored in five of their previous six fixtures – as was in all three previous H2Hs (W2, D1). Their club record 8-0 win over Mainz at the weekend was also the third consecutive game in which Leipzig netted after the 85th minute. Timo Werner (RBL) got a hat-trick of goals and assists at the weekend – nine of his last ten competitive strikes arrived after half-time. Having drawn just one UCL game in their history (W4, D1, L4), Leipzig often foster an exciting game, with seven of their previous nine UCL fixtures seeing both teams score. Three of their last four ended via a 2-1 scoreline (W2, L1).