Zenit St.Petersburg - Auxerre
Champions' League 3rd qualifying round, 1st leg
Tuesday, 17th August 2010. Kickoff 18:30

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Zenit is still unbeaten under Spalletti. How many games is it now- 22 or something? 3 additions to their Champions' League roster: Bruno Alves from Porto, defensive midfielder Sergey Semak and another Russian national team player Alexandr Bukharov (both from Rubin Kazan). And let’s not forger left wing-back Lukovic from Udinese. All of them can make the starting 11, of course, with Alves’ looking as the only guaranteed starter.

Influential right winger Bystrov is still not completely well after that nasty injury in Romania. Defensive midfielder Denisov is also questioned. Croatian defender Ivica Krizanac is surely out, but that is no longer a problem since Alves arrival.

Biggest change in Zenit’s line up of late is the inclusion of Fernando Meira. Portuguese international looked to be written off at one point of his Russian career, but now his form is making him an almost guaranteed starter. Perhaps Spalletti’s choice is dictated by the fact that Meira and Alves are compatriots and speak the same language. It’s logical enough.

Provided Bystrov fails to recover, Lazovic shall provide a decent cover on the left flank. If Denisov is also out – new signing Sergey Semak will be employed in the holding midfielder position.

In other departments the starting line up should resemble the one used vs. Dynamo Moscow at the week-end.

Auxerre has had a slow start in Ligue 1 with 2 consecutive draws against minnows Lorient (2-2) and Brest (1-1).French outfit is without important central defender Dudka in St.Petersburg.All in all they have maintained almost the same squad, which sensationally grabbed bronzemedals last season. Only notable departure is Romanian international Niculae.

Auxerre's manager Jean Fernandez had a very optimistic forcast for the upcoming fixture claiming his side's chances of progression to CL group stage are "minimal". Public skepticism is padded by the absence of travelling supporters in St.Petersburg.

Betting advice

Auxerre's failure to keep a clean sheet in first two Ligue 1 fixtures is really a bad sign. Free-scoring Zenit should at least get one goal if they maintain the same poor level of offensive efficiency. On a good day Spalletti's team can score a handful, but that has yet to come this season.

Nevertheless I would suggest to take this match in-running because there's hardly any value in -1 handicap or even -0.75. First half might be very close, but after the break Spalletti will try to exploit the difference in fitness preparation. Odds would be fine by then provided the first half finishes goalless.

The Statistics :

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Zenit to win @ 1.61 with Bet365;
Take Draw-Zenit St.Petersburg (HT/FT) @ 3.75 with Bet365;