UEFA Champions League: FC Zenit St Petersburg vs SL Benfica Odds and Betting Preview

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – Portuguese leaders Benfica will have to brave the elements this Wednesday as they travel to Saint Petersburg to take on Russian Champions Zenit in the first leg of their last sixteen clash. Zenit are the favourites for the contest with William Hill offering an industry leading 8/5 (bet £5 to make £8 profit) on a home victory. Benfica are 2/1 with Ladbrokes to claim a crucial victory whilst the draw is a 9/4 chance at Bet365.

Zenit will be looking to shake off the rust from a long winter break this Wednesday against Benfica as the hosts experience their first taste of competitive action since the beginning of December. Luciano Spalletti’s side had been in fine form prior to their two-month hiatus, with the Russian champions unbeaten in their last fifteen matches in all competitions and currently sitting top of the Russian League table. Zenit also boast a fine recent home record in Europe, with the side unbeaten in their last fifteen European fixtures at the Stadion Petrovskiy, a run stretching back to September 2008. The hosts will however be severely weakened by the losses of Domenico Criscito and Danny through injury.

Benfica are currently in the midst of an impressive campaign themselves, with the Lisbon-based outfit leading their domestic league by a full five points as they look to wrestle back the title from FC Porto. Jorge Jesus’ side are still unbeaten in both European and domestic league competition, with the side’s lone defeat this season coming to FC Maritimo in the Taca da Liga (Portuguese Cup). Benfica underlined their credentials as a potential dark horse for the competition by impressively topping Group C ahead of last year’s beaten finalists Manchester United and will be hoping to secure a positive result this evening to take back to Portugal. The Eagles have a good recent away record in Europe, with only one defeat from their last nine away European fixtures.

Zenit are 13/2 with Coral to win the game by a goal to nil or 11/1 with William Hill to win the game by a 2-0 scoreline. Benfica are 8/1 with Ladbrokes to grab a 1-0 advantage to take back to the Estadio da Luz in two weeks time whilst 2-1 to the visitors is an 11/1 chance at Coral. Ladbrokes offer an industry-best 6/1 on the 1-1 draw.

Zenit/Zenit is the 10/3 favourite in the Half-Time/Full-Time market with Bet365 whilst Draw/Zenit is 5/1 with William Hill. Benfica/Benfica is a 9/2 chance in the market with Ladbrokes whilst Draw/Draw is a 4/1 shot at Totesport. Zenit/Benfica is a 40/1 longshot with Boylesports.

Aleksandr Kerzhakov, who has scored nine goals in his last nine league fixtures for Zenit, is the 6/1 joint-favourite to break the deadlock between the sides at Bet365. Oscar Cardozo, who has scored nine goals in his last eight matches for Benfica, is also a 6/1 chance in the market at Paddy Power whilst in-form Rodrigo is a 9/1 shot to grab the opener with SkyBet.

Benfica are the favourites to qualify from the tie, at a best price of 8/13 with Ladbrokes, and are a 50/1 shot for the competition with Bet365. Zenit are an 11/8 chance to progress with SkyBet and are a 150/1 longshot to win the tournament with Bet Victor.

The Match Kicks Off at 1700 GMT with live coverage on Sky Sports 2.

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UEFA Champions League 2011/2012 Tournament Winner