Match Stats

Zenit are coming into this game on the back of a 0-0 draw at FC Kuban and currently, Zenit who are managed by ex-Spurs & Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas are sitting top of the Russian Premier League on 56 Points which is 8 points above 2nd place Krasnodar. Zenit’s recent domestic home record reads a very solid lookingW12, D2, L1. 

When facing the Top 6 Russian sides Zenit again boast a strong record that reads W7, D2, L1.

Looking at Zenit’s Europa Cup home record it reads a fairly solid looking W7, D2, L1. It should also be noted that Zenit were also in the Champions League this season where they beat Benfica, drew with Monaco and lost to Bayer Leverkusen.

Since 2000 this will be the 4th time that the 2 clubs have met in St Petersburg in this competition with the record reading Zenit 1 Win, 2 Draws and Sevilla 0 wins.

Sevilla are coming into this match on the back of a 1-1 draw with Granada and currently they sit in 5th place just 2 points behind 4thplace Valencia in a desperate battle for Champions League places.

Sevilla’s recent domestic away record reads W8, D0, L7. When facing the Top half sides. Minus Barcelona & Real Madrid, their away record reads a reasonable looking W4, D3, L3.

This form is replicated in the holders recent Europa League away form which again reads W4, D3, L3

Goal Stats

Looking at the goal line then the domestic stats certainly point to overs. When looking at both sides last 15 domestic home and away matches, in the 30 matches 19 have seen 3 or more goals and 11 have seen 2 or less. When looking at both last 10 respective Europa League home and away ties then 11 of the 20 matches have seen 2 or less goals.

Summary

This looks to be an excellent match up and the holders Sevilla are slightly fortunate to be coming into this tie with a lead, after scoring a late winner in Sevilla last Thursday. Here they are coming up against a Zenit side who also won the competition back in 2008.

When looking at the game my ratings suggest that there is no real value in the goal line but given both sides recent domestic form and the state of the game, my leaning would certainly be towards overs. My ratings also suggest value with the home side. Zenit have an excellent home record although it has to be said their home record in the Champions League is not outstanding especially when facing the more established sides. However when it comes to the Europa Cup, since 2000 they have played 33 ties and only lost once and that was against Bayer Leverkusen in 2008. Here there looks to be some decent risk v reward backing Zenit on the -0.0/0.5 handicap.

My recommended trade is Zenit - 0.0/0.5 goals at around 2.00.