On Tuesday, starting at 17:55, the match Zenit – Leipzig will be played, within the group stage of the Champions League, Group G, 2019/2020 edition. In the tour match, the Germans won 2-1, through the successes of Laimer and Sabitzer, respectively Rakitsky. Previously, Leipzig won 2-1 at home, then drew 1-1 in Russia, eliminating Zenit from the 16-match Europa League, the 2017/2018 season. Tuesday’s dispute may be more important for the Russian group, which now occupies second place in group G, with 4 points.
The match between Zenit and Leipzig comes at a time when the Germans broke up after a series of negative results. “Red Bulls” crushed Wolfsburg in the German Cup, even in the “Wolves”, score 6-1. The show didn’t stop there, with Julian Nagelsmann’s students defeating Mainz in the Bundesliga, with an unprecedented 8-0. The pressure had increased in Leizpig’s locker room, as the results of the last period were not in tune with the excellent start of the season. As for Zenit, the Russian group continues its regular course in domestic competitions, leading the ranking of the Russian Premier League, with 3 points over rival Lokomotiv. The draw with TSKA Moscow, score 1-1 at the weekend, will not have negative consequences for Zenit, who knows very well that he needs points with Leipzig. A defeat on their own ground would practically open the fight for the 2nd place, where Lyon and Benfica are still, with 3 points each. Leipzig is in a favorable moment, he writes from any position, but Zenit has the strength to counteract the successes. We expect goals from both sides, and the Bundesliga team is slightly favored to victory.
Probable teams:
Zenit: Kherzhakov – Karavaev, Ivanovic (c), Rakitskiy, Santos – Shatov, Barrios, Ozdoev, Driussi – Azmoun, Dyzuba
Absent: Kokorin, Malcom, Mammana
Uncertain: Mon.
Coach: Sergei Semak
Leipzig: Gulacsi – Klostermann, Mukiele, Upamecano, Halstenberg – Sabitzer, Laimer, Demme (c), Forsberg – Werner, Poulsen
Absent: Ilsanker, Lookman, Orban, Wolf
Uncertain: Adams, Konate, Schick
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / YES @ 1,53
