Football Results

This should be one of most interesting 2nd leg of the round of 32, given that Scottish champion Celitc won Russian Zenit 1-0 at home seven days ago. The result leaves both teams in the race for next round, and we expect to see very attractive and uncertain match in St. Petersburg on Thursday evening.

Zenit St. Petersburg

Fans of the Russian team are fully convinced that their team will win the Scottish champion at home, although it is to be seen will the goal difference will be enough to go further. Given 1-0 from the 1st leg Zenit can directly reach the round of 16 only if it wins by two-goal difference, while if the match ends with the same result like the one played in Glasgow extra time will have to be played. On the other hand, all victories of the home team by one goal difference would mean that Celitc goes in the round of 16 due to goals scored away.

Of course, they are very much aware of that in Zenit but they also firmly believe in their quality, and on top of it they play at home where they won all three matches in the group phase. Zenit’s main problem is that Russian championship will continue only at the beginning of March and players are not in fully competitive form, unlike the Scots. Regarding the team, we expect several changes compered to match in Glasgow, while still out of action is only from before injured midfielder Faizulin.

Probable lineups Zenit St. Petersburg: Lunev – Smolnikov, Ivanovic, Mammana, Criscito – Kranevitter, Paredes, Erokhin – Rigoni, Kokorin, Poloz

Celtic

Unlike the Russian team, Scottish champions can be very pleased with outcome of their match played in Glasgow last week, especially as they managed to keep their goal intact. On the other hand, manager Rodgers players were very patient in attack and had scored the winning goal no sooner than in 78 minute. It was McGregor who in that way once again imposed himself in the midfield ahead of Rogic and Sinclair.

Last weekend Rodgers rested most of players who played in the Europa League when Celtic faced St. Johnstone at home, which is probably why the match ended as goalless draw, while before that Celtic lost away 1-0 to Kilmarnock. Still, Cetlic still has nine points more than 2nd-placed Rangers, so from that side they can be safe. We need to add that goalkeeper Gordon, stopper Boyata, midfielders Roberts and Hayes, and forward Griffiths are still injured.

Probable lineups Celtic: de Vries – Lustig, Simunovic, Ajer – Forrest, Brown, Kouassi, Ntcham, Tierney – McGregor – Dembele

Verdict:

As we have already stressed in our analysis Zenit won all three home matches played in the group phase of Europa League, and we expect from them to do the same in this duel with Scottish champion Celtic, especially as they lost 1-0 in Glasgow seven days ago.

Pick:  Zenit wins 1.67 - 67/100 @1XBet