RB Leipzig – Zenit Petersburg Prediction & Picks (08.03.2018)

RB Leipzig and Zenit St. Petersburg meet at Red Bull Arena, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (8th Finals). These two teams have never faced each other before, so this will be their first direct confrontation. In this game the home factor may be decisive, as Zenit St. Petersburg presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.

RB Leipzig:

The home team reaches this stage of the UEFA Europa League (8th Finals) after having eliminated Napoli, after a home loss by (0-2) and a win by (1-3) away in the tie previous. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses in away matches; against 7 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats in his stadium. In the last match they played for the Bundesliga, they tied with Borussia Dortmund at home (1-1). In the last 10 home matches RB Leipzig has won 3, tied 3 and lost 4. The team has conceded goals in 8 of the last 10 matches, so their defense needs to improve, but their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches. The team usually has no problems opening the scoring: it scored the first goal in 8 of the last 10 games, of these 8 came to the break in advantage in 3 and managed to maintain the advantage until the end of the 90 ‘in 3. In the last 7 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period highlighted: he scored 3 of his 8 goals between the minutes (61’-75 ‘).

The RB Leipzig in this exhibition the last of a series of four consecutive games in front of his fans, which should not be satisfied with the performance of the club, since it has not won for four games, period in which he suffered three defeats in a row. In their last match, at least scored again, to tie with Borussia Dortmund for the German league, which now occupies the sixth position. The home team came to the Europa League after failing to move forward in the UEFA Champions League, but eliminated Napoli in the previous round, which is making a beautiful campaign in the Italian league. It is likely that the coach will organize the team in 4-4-2, with highlight for Werner in the attack, which is the club’s top scorer in the national championship.

Zenit St. Petersburg:

The visiting team reached this phase of the UEFA Europa League (8th Finals) after having eliminated Celtic, with a (3-0) win at home and a (1-0) loss in the previous round. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 8 draws and 3 losses in away matches, with 18 goals scored and 12 conceded; against 11 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses at their stadium, with 36 goals scored and 11 suffered. In the last match they played, for the Premier League, they tied with Amkar Perm at home (0-0). In the last 6 away matches for the UEFA Europa League Zenit St. Petersburg has 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. The team has conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, so it has not presented great defensive solidity, but their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 12 matches in this tournament, he suffered the first goal 4 times and never got the comeback.

Zenit St. Petersburg returns to play away from home, after two consecutive exhibitions against their fans, who must be happy with the recent performance of the club, since they suffered only one defeat in the last twelve games and did not suffer any goal in the two last games. In their last match, valid for the Russian championship, in which occupies the fifth position, the team was very superior, having finished four times more than the opponent, but ended up not achieving more than a goalless draw against Amkar. In the previous phase of the Europa League eliminated Celtic and guaranteed qualification, after a 3×0 win at home. For this match, the coach is expected to organize the team in 4-3-3, with highlight for Kokorin in the offensive sector.