Europa League
2013-02-14 - Zenit St Petersburg vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Europa League
Thursday 14 February 2013 - Kick Off 5pm
This game is live on TV
Zenit St Petersburg
While the Russian domestic League has been on a Winter break, it hasn't taken away the enthusiasm of their chances of progressing in the Europa League. There has been plenty of talk that the side is in 'peak condition' for their two games with Liverpool, especially as there is a lot of experience for their players of being at this stage of European competition in recent seasons.
Zenit are 3rd in the Russian top flight and have a 5 point gap between themselves and the League leading CSKA Moscow with the League due to start up again next month. The side fell out of the Champions League, finishing behind Malaga and AC Milan, but they have had a couple of decent runs in the Europa League and it has to be remembered they won this competition in 2008.
They did finish with a 1-1-1 home record in the Champions League, twice falling 0-2 behind against Milan and Malaga before fighting back. The only problem for Zenit is they lost 2-3 to Milan despite getting back to 2-2, and drew with Malaga 2-2. However, it has been a different story in the Europa League as they have won 8 of their last 9 games at home in the competition, beating the likes of Bayern Munich, Stuttgart and Twente in that run.
Overall, Zenit are unbeaten in 6 home games in all competitions although 3 in a row have ended in draws.
Liverpool
Brendan Rodgers saw his side beaten 0-2 by West Brom at Anfield on Monday night and that has virtually ensured they will finish outside of the Champions League places again this season. That means this is the last competition Liverpool have a chance of winning this season and it may just have increased in importance from where the Europa League was being placed during the Group stage.
The Reds dropped to 9th in the Premier League thanks to their loss on Monday night and even finishing in a European place from their League standings is beginning to get beyond their reach.
Liverpool finished with a 3-1-2 record in the Group to finish top of the Group containing Anzhi, Udinese and Young Boys. They have also come through a couple of qualifying Rounds, while Liverpool will look to their away form in this competition as they travel to Russia. Liverpool have won 4 of their 5 away games in the competition this season, although it must also be noted that they lost on their visit to Russia when falling to a 1-0 defeat to Anzhi.
The side have failed to win any of their last 4 games in all competitions, although they have earned very credible draws at Arsenal and Manchester City in that run. Liverpool have also failed to win any of their last 4 away games with the defeat to Oldham Athletic being the most embarrassing result.
Head to Head
This will be the first time these sides have met in a competitive game.
Prediction
The big story ahead of this game is what Liverpool will do if their black players are abused by a section of the Zenit St Petersburg support who are infamous for their racist thoughts and chants.
On the field, I do think Zenit are capable of taking a lead back to England, especially with the form they have shown at home in European competition over the last few seasons. That has been most evident in the Europa League and there is a chance that Liverpool are tired from a long journey on limited rest.
I still think Liverpool will give themselves a chance to overturn a deficit at Anfield, but Zenit taking a slender lead to England is the call.
The Pick :
Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 Liverpool
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Zenit St Petersburg to win @ 2.50 (Bet365)
