Zenit St.Petersburg vs SL Benfica
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Today’s secondary featured game is the UEFA Champions League game in Russia between Zenit St.Petersburg and SL Benfica.
First of all, Petrovsky is a hard venue for any away side – that’s in normal temperatures. It’s well below freezing in Russia right now so the home side has a slight advantage over Benfica. Zenit have lost some of their flair and finesse over the past couple of years, however, and that’s shown a lot in their UEFA Champions League games. They don’t surprise sides much nowadays and subsequently find it harder to win games. Zenit do have a few weapons as Kerzhakov is a lethal finisher and the leading light of the side Danny does know some of his opponents well from the Portuguese national team. Zenit have enough home advantage, experience, and attacking quality to at least score here but I fear they’ll suffer the same problems as they did against Porto in the group stages.
Ok, Zenit progressed and Porto didn’t but during their home game with Porto, it took a red card for Uruguayan full-back Fucile to turn the game in favour of Zenit. Porto were looking quite comfortable as they’re a better passing side. Benfica possess a similar trait and have some very good attacking players so I won’t rule them out from sneaking a win here. I’ve been very impressed with Benfica in all of their away games in European football this season so even a freezing Russia shouldn’t daunt them. They’ve got a wealth of attacking talent although you’ll rarely see them keep a clean sheet. If they avoid defeat here, they’re through, in my eyes. I’m not a football manager myself but I would imagine that Jorge Jesus would take a similar stance to me here! Benfica have to score, though – they know they’ll concede in the game – so I think they’ll manage it one way or another.
These two sides should make this an interesting game for various reasons. There are some differences and some similarities between the two clubs but they should be able to take advantage of one another’s weaknesses. For example, Zenit can be slow and predictable at the back whilst Benfica are quick and spontaneous whereas Zenit dominate from set pieces and Benfica…well, Benfica have Luisao and Cardozo who can head the ball but nobody else! One way or another, I expect both sides to score here and 9/10 on that selection interests me a lot here.
Verdict: Both sides to score at 9/10.
Wednesday’s Picks
My tips:
Atalanta Bergamo vs Genoa – over 2.5 goals at evens.
Atalanta can’t break through stubborn Lecce at weekend but I expect them to manage it here. Genoa’s defence has been utterly shambolic lately, even shipping three at goal-shy Catania (despite having just sold their best striker Maxi Lopez!). You can blame absentees for their horrendous defensive record of late and I’ve no doubt that it does play a part but the players on the field are not doing enough and it hurts them. Genoa operate at 50% capacity away from home in Italy – they’re notorious for it – and if you take that approach with Atalanta then you’ll lose. Lecce were a different proposition at weekend; they always work hard and Atalanta don’t like that as a strong characteristic of Atalanta’s play is their work ethic. Genoa should give them time to knock the ball around and make things happens and that’s resulted disastrously for Genoa in the past couple of months and that’s what I expect to happen again here. Genoa miss Gilardino up front but they still have enough attacking power in them to at least score against samba Atalanta, especially with their temperamental players. I expect a pretty open game here and over 2.5 goals appeals to me at evens because of it.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at evens.
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
International Friendly:
Paraguay vs Chile (5) 2-1
UEFA Champions League:
Zenit St.Petersburg vs SL Benfica (6) 1-1
AC Milan vs Arsenal (5) 2-1
Copa Libertadores:
The Strongest vs Santos (4) 2-2
Deportivo Tachira vs Corinthians (5) 1-1
Atletico Lanus vs Flamengo (5) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Finnish Liiga Cup:
Jaro Pietarsaari vs JJK Jyvaskyla (6) over 2.5 goals
Greek Super League:
Doxa Dramas vs Kerkyra (6) 2-1
Levadiakos vs Panaitolikos (4) 1-1
Italian Serie A:
Atalanta Bergamo vs Genoa (6) 2-1
Parma vs Juventus (6) 0-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!