Zenit v Benfica preview and tips

Zenit is ready to reach a first-ever quarter-final in the Champions League. To do so, they must overcome a disappointing start to 2016 and overturn a 1-0 deficit against a Benfica side in top form but depleted by defensive injuries. Villas Boas’ team is far from consistent in recent games. They are still trying to get in form after the winter break in the Russian Premier League. What happens there does not really conflict with European success. Yes, it would be better not to receive that injury time goal in Lisbon, but what is done is done. Zenit must fight back to qualify.

Criscito and Javi Garcia are suspended, while Fayzulin is a long term absentee.

Possible lineup
Zenit: Lodygin; Anyukov, Lombaerts, Garay, Zhirkov; Yusupov, Witsel, Shatov, Danny; Hulk, Dzyuba.
Out: Criscito (suspended), Fayzulin (knee), Javi García (suspended)
Misses next match if booked: Danny, Hulk, Yusupov, Witsel

Bet live on Zenit v Benfica at bet365 > Live In-Play

Benfica have won the big Lisbon derby away to Sporting (0-1) with Kostas Mitroglou scoring the only goal after 20 minutes. The Greek international might have to be sacrifised tonight from Rui Vitoria, who is preparing a defensive approach to the game. He cannot do otherwise, missing all but one of his central defenders. He had to call 18 years old Ruben Dias in the team. However, he appeared really confident about his team and suggested they will attack to score at least a goal that will help them make it to the quarter-finals.

Julio Cesar (GK), Luisao, Lisandro Lopez (D) are all injured, while Jardel and Andre Almeida (D) are suspended ahead of the crucial game.

Possible lineup
Benfica: Ederson; Semedo, Lindelöf, Fejsa, Eliseu; Samaris, Renato Sanches, Gaitán, Pizzi; Jonas, Raúl Jiménez.
Out: Jardel (suspended), André Almeida (suspended), Lisandro López (thigh), Júlio César (thigh), Luisão (broken arm)
Doubtful: none
Misses next match if booked: Luisão, Gonçalo Guedes, Jonas

Our bet: Zenit is playing at home, where they have a strong record. Benfica’s missing players are play a crucial role to backing the home win at 1.95 (19/20 UK).

Go to bet365 and back the following single bet which would return £146.25 for a £75 stake (odds in brackets for UK and Europe):

Home win to Zenit (19/20, 1.95)

Strong Single Bet of the Day

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08/10/2026BRA - APalmeiras - Bahia1 & Under 4.51.9010
07/10/2026BRA - AInternacional - Corinthians12.2520+25
06/10/2026UNLAlbaina - San MarinoNG & Over 3.52.0010-10
05/10/2026UNLFrance - BelgiumGG & Over 2.51.9310+9
04/10/2026UNLPortugal - NorwayGG & Over 2.51.7510+7.5
03/10/2026BRA - AAtl. Mineiro - Bragantino12.1520+23
02/10/2026UNLBosnia - SwedenGG & Over 2.52.0010-10
01/10/2026UNLDenmark - PortugalGG & Over 2.52.0020+20
30/09/2026CAF - QEritrea - South Africa2-3 goals2.0010-10
28/09/2026UNLSweden - PolandBTTS (GG)1.58150+87
27/09/2026UNLGermany - GreeceGG & Over 2.52.0050-50
26/09/2026UNLEngland - Spain22.30100+130
25/09/2026UNLTurkiye - FranceGG & Over 2.51.8750-50
24/09/2026UNLNorway - DenmarkGG & Over 2.51.90200+180
23/09/2026USA - MLSSeattle - Real Salt LakeGG & Over 2.51.83100-100
20/09/2026FRA - L1Marseille - PSGGG & Under 5.52.001000+1000
19/09/2026SPA - LLCelta - SantanderGG & Over 2.52.05500-500
18/09/2026FRA - L1Monaco - Lens1X & Over 2.52.051000+1050
17/09/2026UELBesiktas - MarseilleGG & Over 2.51.902000+1800
16/09/2026UELAnderlecht - LyonGG & Over 2.51.952000+1900
15/09/2026SPA - LLVallecano - Espanyol1 & Under 3.53.052000+4100
14/09/2026ITA - ATorino - RomaOver 2.51.783000-3000
13/09/2026ENG - PLMan Utd - Man City13.252000-2000
12/09/2026ENG - PLTottenham - Everton12.002000-2000
11/09/2026ITA - AVenezia - FiorentinaGG & Under 4.52.101000-1000
10/09/2026CHLPSV - ShakhtarGG & Over 2.51.85500-500
09/09/2026CHLSporting - GalatasarayGG & Over 2.51.881000+880
08/09/2026CHLDortmund - Villareal11.802000+1600
07/09/2026SPA - LLElche - Real Sociedad2-3 goals2.001000-1000
06/09/2026GER - BLEintracht - Augsburg11.90500-500
05/09/2026ITA - AInter - NapoliBTTS (GG)2.001500+1500
04/09/2026ENG - PLIpswich - Liverpool2 & Over 2.51.901000-1000
03/09/2026SPA - LLSociedad - Celta2-3 goals2.00500-500
02/09/2026BRA - AFlamengo - Mirasol1 & Over 2.51.80250-250
01/09/2026ENG - CHStoke - NorwichOver 2.51.80100-100
31/08/2026ITA - ALecce - Roma2 & Under 3.52.1050-50
30/08/2026ENG - PLChelsea - BrightonGG & Over 2.52.00500+500
29/08/2026GER - BLDortmund - Hamburg1 & GG2.80150-150
28/08/2026GER - BLBayern - StuttgartOver 1.5 at HT1.75100-100
27/08/2026CL - QBrann - PAOK2-3 goals2.0050-50
26/08/2026UCL - QAEK - Levski Sofia1/1 at HT/FT2.30500+650
25/08/2026SPA - LLValencia - BetisGG & Under 4.52.10200-200
24/08/2026ITA - ARoma - Fiorentina2-3 goals2.00100-100
23/08/2026ENG - PLNewcastle - Liverpool2-3 goals2.0050-50
22/08/2026GER - SCDortmund - BayernOver 1.5 at HT2.00100+100
21/08/2026ENG - PLArsenal - Coventry2-3 goals2.00250+250
20/08/2026CL - QPAOK - Brann2-3 goals2.00500+500
19/08/2026CHL - QCeltic - LASKGG & Under 4.52.35250-250
18/08/2026CHL - QLevski Sofia - AEK1-2 goals1.83100-100
17/08/2026POR - LPCasa Pia - Benfica2 & Over 2.51.80250+200
16/08/2026FRA - SCLens - PSGGG & Under 5.51.90100-100
15/08/2026NED - AUtrecht - AZ AlkmaarGG & Over 2.51.85250+212
14/08/2026BEL - ACercle Brugge - St TruidenseGG & Over 2.52.00500+500
13/08/2026UEL - QRangers - JagielloniaBTTS (GG)1.801000+800
12/08/2026UEFA SCPSG - Aston VillaBTTS (GG)1.802000+1600
11/08/2026CL - QCSKA 1948 - Panathinaikos21.821000-1000
10/08/2026POR - LPSanta Clara - Nacional2-3 goals2.00800-800
09/08/2026NOR - ALillestrom - RosenborgGG & Over 2.51.90500-500
08/08/2026NED - APSV - FortunaOver 1.5 at HT1.80250-250
07/08/2026GER - BL2Bochum - Hertha Berlin2-3 goals2.00100-100
06/08/2026UEL - QPAOK - Anderlecht11.7050-50
05/08/2026CL - QPanathinaikos - CSKA 19481 & NG1.7520-20
04/08/2026CHL - QSparta Prague - Lyon2-3 goals2.0020+20
02/08/2026NED - SCPSV - AZ Alkmaar1 & GG2.6010-10
01/08/2026NOR - AStart - Viking2 & Over 2.52.1020+22
31/07/2026SCO - PLDundee Utd - RangersGG & Over 2.51.9010-10
30/07/2026UEL - QBenfica - St Gallen1 & Over 3.52.1010+11
29/07/2026CHL - QBeer Sheva - Vikingur1 & Under 4.52.0050+50
28/07/2026CHL - QDinamo Zagreb - Thun1 & GG3.3520-20
27/07/2026BRA - AGremio - FluminenseGG & Under 4.52.10300+330
25/07/2026ARG - ARiver Plate - Barracas1 & NG1.85150-150
24/07/2026DEN - AViborg - OdenseGG & Over 2.52.0075-75
23/07/2026UEL - QSt Gallen - Benfica2 & Over 2.52.0050-50
19/07/2026WC 2026Spain - ArgentinaSpain wins Trophy1.6520+13
18/07/2026WC 2026France - EnglandOver 1.5 at HT2.2050+60
17/07/2026NOR - ABodo Glimt - Fredrikstad1 & Over 3.51.8520-20
16/07/2026CHL - QFerencvaros - Vojvodina1 & GG2.8010-10
15/07/2026WC 2026England - ArgentinaBTTS (GG)1.9550+47.5
14/07/2026WC 2026France - SpainBTTS (GG)1.7020-20
11/07/2026WC 2026Norway - EnglandGG & Under 5.51.8550+42.5
10/07/2026WC 2026Spain - BelgiumBTTS (GG)1.80100+80
09/07/2026WC 2026France - Morocco2-3 goals2.00900+900
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07/07/2026WC 2026Argentina - Egypt1 & Under 3.51.93250-250
06/07/2026WC 2026USA - Belgium1X & GG2.30100-100
05/07/2026WC 2026Mexico - England2-3 goals2.0050-50
04/07/2026WC 2026Canada - MoroccoBTTS (GG)2.0520-20
03/07/2026WC 2026Argentina - Cape VerdeNG & U 3.51.8510-10
02/07/2026WC 2026Spain - Austria1/1 at HT/FT1.9810+9.8
01/07/2026WC 2026England - DR Congo2-3 goals2.0010+10
30/06/2026WC 2026France - Sweden1/1 at HT/FT1.8510+8.5
29/06/2026WC 2026Netherlands - Morocco2-3 goals2.0010+10
28/06/2026WC 2026South Africa - CanadaX (+1)3.5010+25
27/06/2026WC 2026Jordan - Argentina2 & Under 3.52.0010-10
26/06/2026WC 2026Senegal - Iraq1 & Over 2.51.7310+7
25/06/2026WC 2026Tunisia - NetherlandsOver 1.5 at HT2.1010+11
24/06/2026WC 2026Scotland - BrazilOver 2.51.9010+9
23/06/2026WC 2026England - GhanaNG & Under 3.52.0010+10
22/06/2026WC 2026Argentina - Austria1 & Under 3.52.1550+57.5
21/06/2026WC 2026Belgium - Iran2-3 goals2.0020-20
20/06/2026WC 2026Ecuador - CuracaoMore goals 2nd half2.0510-10
19/06/2026WC 2026Brazil - HaitiNG & Over 1.51.9550+47.5
18/06/2026WC 2026Czechia - South Africa11.9520-20
17/06/2026WC 2026England - Croatia2-3 goals2.0010-10
16/06/2026WC 2026Argentina - Algeria1 & Under 3.52.0010+10
15/06/2026WC 2026Belgium - Egypt2-3 goals2.0010+10
14/06/2026WC 2026Netherlands - JapanBTTS (GG)1.8010+8
13/06/2026WC 2026Brazil - MoroccoUnder 2.51.7820+15.5
12/06/2026WC 2026USA - ParaguayX3.4010-10
11/06/2026WC 2026Mexico - South AfricaNG & Under 3.51.7210+7
29/05/2026ITA BMonza - Catanzaro2-3 goals2.0020+20
28/05/2026COPA LIBBoca Juniors - Un. CatolicaX/1 at HT/FT4.2510-10
27/05/2026UCLCrystal Palace - VallecanoUnder 2.51.75100+75
25/05/2026GER - BLPaderborn - WolfsburgUnder 2.51.98250+245
24/05/2026SLA - LL2Huesca - CastellonGG & Under 5.52.22100-100
23/05/2026GER - CupBayern - StuttgartOver 1.5 at HT1.9050-50
22/05/2026ITA - AFiorentina - AtalantaGG & Over 2.51.9530-30
21/05/2026BEL - AMechelen - Club BruggeGG & Over 2.51.85250+212.5
20/05/2026UELFreiburg - Aston VillaBTTS (GG)2.00100-100
19/05/2026ENG - PLChelsea - TottenhamX3.8530-30
17/05/2026SPA - LLSevilla - Real MadridGG & Under 4.52.1020-20
16/05/2026ENG - CupChelsea - Man CityGG & Under 4.52.3010-10
14/05/2026ENG - L1Bradford - BoltonUnder 2.52.0010+10
13/05/2026ITA - CupLazio - InterUnder 2.52.0010+10
12/05/2026SPA - LLBetis - Elche2-3 goals2.0010+10
11/05/2026ENG - CHMillwall - HullUnder 2.52.0050+50
10/05/2026FRA - L1Monaco - LilleGG & Over 2.51.8520-20
09/05/2026SPA - LLAtletico - CeltaGG & Over 2.51.9510-10
08/05/2026GER - BLDortmund - EintrachtOver 3.51.9310+9.3
07/05/2026UELAston Villa - Nott Forest11.7560+45
06/05/2026CHLBayern - PSGX at HT3.1020-20
05/05/2026CHLArsenal - Atletico2-3 goals2.0010-10
04/05/2026SCO - PLHearts - RangersGG & Over 2.52.0020+20
03/05/2026GER - BLGladbach - DortmundGG & Over 2.51.8510-10
02/05/2026ENG - PLArsenal - Fulham1/1 at HT/FT2.2510+12.5
30/04/2026UELBraga - Freiburg12.4510+14.5
29/04/2026CHLAtletico - Arsenal2-3 goals2.0010+10
28/04/2026CHLPSG - Bayern1 & GG3.5010+25
27/04/2026ENG - PLMan Utd - BrentfordGG & Over 2.51.8520+17
26/04/2026ITA - AFiorentina - SassuoloGG & Under 5.51.9010-10
25/04/2026ENG - PLArsenal - Newcastle1/1 at HT/FT2.2020+24
24/04/2026SPA - LLBetis - Real Madrid2 & Over 1.52.1010-10
23/04/2026SWE - AMalmo - SiriusGG & Over 2.52.0020+20
22/04/2026POR - CupPorto - Sporting2-3 goals2.0010-10
21/04/2026ENG - PLBrighton - Chelsea12.5510+15.5
20/04/2026ENG - PLCrystal Palace - West HamOver 2.51.8810-10
19/04/2026POR - LPSporting - BenficaGG & Under 4.52.15100+115
18/04/2026ENG - CHSwansea - Southampton21.90300+270
17/04/2026GER - BLSt Pauli - KolnGG & & Over 2.52.40150-150
16/04/2026UELCelta - Freiburg11.90100-100
15/04/2026CHLBayern - Real Madrid2 DNB4.0050-50
14/04/2026CHLAtletico - Barcelona21.85100+85
13/04/2026ENG - PLMan Utd - LeedsGG & Over 2.51.85250+212.5
12/04/2026GER - BLKoln - WerderGG & Over 2.52.00750+750
11/04/2026GER - BLDortmund - Leverkusen12.00500-500
10/04/2026FRA - L1Paris - Monaco22.00250-250
09/04/2026UELPorto - Nott Forest1220100-100
08/04/2026CHLBarcelona - AtleticoOver 1.5 at HT2.0050-50
07/04/2026CHLReal Madrid - BayernGG & Over 3.52.2520-20
06/04/2026ITA - ANapoli - Milan2-3 goals2.0010-10
05/04/2026GER - BLEintracht - KolnGG & Over 2.51.9510+9.5
04/04/2026SPA - LLAtletico - BarcelonaOver 1.5 at HT2.2210+12
03/04/2026SPA - LLVallecano - Levante11.8020+16
02/04/2026BRA - ABragantino - Flamengo22.0010-10
01/04/2026BRA - ACruzeiro - Vitoria1 & Over 1.52.05100+105
31/03/2026WC - QBosnia - Italy2 & Under 3.52.1050-50
29/03/2026BRA - AAthletico - Botafogo23.7520-20
28/03/2026SPA - LL2Albacete - CastellonGG & Over 2.51.9510-10
27/03/2026SPA - LL2Cordoba - MirandesX or 22.4010+14
26/03/2026WC - QDenmark - North Macedonia1 & Over 2.51.9010+9
22/03/2026SPA - LLReal Madrid - Atletico11.9010+9
21/03/2026GER - BLDortmund - Hamburg1 & Over 2.51.95100+95
20/03/2026ITA - ACagliari - Napoli2-3 goals2.0030-30
19/03/2026UELBetis - PanathinaikosX (-1)3.6010-10
18/03/2026CHLBayerm - Atalanta28.0010-10
17/03/2026CHLArsenal - Leverkusen1 & NG2.1050+55
16/03/2026SPA - LLVallecano - Levante1 & Over 1.52.1020-20
15/03/2026ENG - PLLiverpool - TottenhamOver 1.5 at HT2.1010-10
14/03/2026GER - BLLeverkusen - BayernUnder 3.51.9010+9
13/03/2026GER - BLM'gladbach - St Pauli12.05120+126
12/03/2026UELNott Forest - MidtjyllandOver 2.51.7560-60
11/03/2026CHLReal Madrid - Man CityGG & Over 2.51.9020-20
10/03/2026CHLNewcastle - Barcelona22.4510-10
09/03/2026ENG - FAWest Ham - BrentfordOver 2.51.7560+45
08/03/2026SCO - FARangers - CelticGG & Over 2.51.9020-20
07/03/2026SPA - LLBiilbao - BarcelonaGG & Under 5.51.8510-10
06/03/2026GER - BLBayern - GladbachGG & Under 5.52.4510+14.5
05/03/2026ENG - PLTottenham - Crystal PalaceOver 2.51.8010+8
04/03/2026SPA - LLRayo Vallecano - Oviedo11.7560+45
03/03/2026POR - TDPSporting - Porto2-3 goals2.0020-20
02/03/2026SPA - LLReal Madrid - Getafe1 & NG1.9510-10
01/03/2026ENG - PLArsenal - ChelseaGG & Over 2.52.20200+240