On Tuesday, starting at 20:00 pm, the Benfica – Zenit match will be played in the Champions League group stage, Group G, 2019/2020 edition. In the tour match, the Russians won by 3-1, and now they hope to retain their second position in the group, to obtain the qualification in the best competition. Leipzig is already qualified, but needs at least one point from Lyon to secure first place.
Benfica can not finish above the 3rd place, the Europa League, but this is quite difficult. The 4 points of the Lusitanians need another 3 so that the European adventure does not end now. The up-to-date leader from Portugal has evolved under expectations in the Champions League, and will now serve as referee between Lyon and Zenit. The Russians will qualify after a victory or draw in Portugal, given that Lyon does not beat Leizpig in the other match of the group. Also, Zenit will remain in second place if he loses with Benfica and Leipzig wins in Lyon. In the case of draws, the Russians qualify due to the 2-0 victory recorded in the last round against the French.
The success with Lyon was the second of the group stage after the one with Benfica in the tour, score 3-1 in St. Petersburg. Dzyuba opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, Ruben Dias (autonomous) increased the difference in the 70th minute, and Azmoun made 3-0 for the Russians in the 78th minute. Raul de Tomas scored the consolation goal for Benfica in the 85th minute, and now the Lusians they will recover. Zenit has not won 11 European matches away, from a 3-1 with Real Sociedad in the Europa League groups 2017/2018. Sergey Semak’s group will evolve cautiously in Lisbon, with an eye on Lyon – Leipzig. Instead, Benfica will seek the victory that can lead to it in the “spring” Europa League.
Probable teams
Benfica: Vlachodimos; T. Tavares, Dias, Ferreira, Grimaldo; Pires, Taarabt, Pizzi, Cervi; Chiquinho, Vinicius
Zenit: Kerzhakov; Karavayev, Ivanovic, Rakitskiy, Santos; Barrios, Ozdoyev, Kuzyayev, Driussi; People, Dzyuba
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / YES @ 1,64
