Will the Bianconeri continue to soar?
After a bumpy start to the 2021/22 season, things have been running like clockwork for Italian record champions Juventus Torino of late. The Bianconeri are unbeaten in seven consecutive league games (six wins, one draw) and have recently celebrated three minimalist 1-0 victories in a row. With two wins and 4-0 goals, they also lead Group H of the Champions League.
Now the Zebre are away to Zenit St. Petersburg. The Russians lost at Chelsea, but still won clearly against underdog Malmö with 4-0. Nevertheless, in the run-up to the encounter between Zenit St. Petersburg and Juventus, the odds are swinging in the direction of the visitors.
In view of the Zebre’s resurgent defence, which has conceded just five more goals in the last seven competitive matches, there is a lot to be said for betting on a low-scoring match between Zenit St. Petersburg and Juventus, especially as we expect the home side to be more defensive.
However, since the Russians have recently suffered two defeats in a row and are not too strong going into the match, we think betting on an away win for the Bianconeri is the better value. By the way, free bets and betting vouchers are also available for placing bets.
Zenit St. Petersburg – Statistics & current form
Zenit St. Petersburg qualified as Russian champions for the UEFA Champions League on a direct route. This is the ninth time that the Sine-Belo-Golubye (the blue-white-sky-blue) have been allowed to take part in the group stage of the top flight, which they have already survived three times.
The last time the seven-time Russian champions, who also won the UEFA Cup in 2008, finished bottom of the table in the preliminary round on two consecutive occasions.
Only four wins in their last 19 European competition matches
For the 2021/22 season, the chances of the Sine-Belo-Golubye finishing at least in third place to spend the winter in the Europa League are already extremely good. In the 4:0 home victory over Malmö FF, at least against the Swedish outsiders, nothing was burning.
Although it was the first time the Zenitchiki had won the Champions League by more than two goals, the Russians’ overall record in European competitions does not read too well. St. Petersburg have won just four of their last 19 international competitive matches (two draws, 13 defeats).
Recently lost two league games in a row
A further problem is that Sergey Semak’s side have also lost their national momentum of late. True, the Russians go into the third matchday of the top flight as leaders of the Premier League. However, the reigning national champions have lost their last two league games in a row against rivals Sotchi (1-2) and Arsenal Tula (1-2).
Predicted line-up of Zenit St. Petersburg:
Kritsyuk – Santos – Rakitskiy – Christyakov – Barrios – Sutormin – Wendel – Kuzyaev – Claudinho – Malcom – Dzyuba
Last matches played by Zenit St. Petersburg:
Juventus – Statistics & current form
Juventus Turin won the Coppa Italia last season for the 14th time in the club’s history. In the Champions League, however, they lost out to FC Porto in the last 16, while in the league they were 13 points behind champions Inter Milan.
The Bianconeri only just managed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League again, which is why the project to install club legend Andrea Pirlo on the coaching bench was declared a failure.
Recently won four league games in a row
Meanwhile, Massimiliano Allegri was back in charge at the Zebre, but fluffed the start of the season on his comeback after an extended sabbatical.
The Vecchia Signora only managed two points out of a possible twelve before the knot was broken away at Spezia Calcio (3:2).
Since then, Juve have celebrated four wins in a row in Serie A, each with a one-goal difference, and were even able to win against AS Roma at the weekend under quite fortunate circumstances (1:0). The Bianconeri are now seventh in Italy once again.
Since eight away games in Russia without defeat
In the Champions League, meanwhile, nothing was burning. The Zebre confirmed their commanding start with a 3-0 win in Malmö on matchday two with a 1-0 home victory over Chelsea. Two games, two victories and 4-0 goals mean that Allegri’s team is now top of the table and will have to defend this position in Russia.
Considering that the men from Piedmont have not lost any of their last eight away games in Russia (seven wins, one draw), Zenit St. Petersburg against Juventus tip 2 is also very well placed. At the moment, the Turin side have a broad chest after a series of seven matches without defeat (six wins, one draw).
Predicted line-up of Juventus:
Szczesny – De Sciglio – Chiellini – Bonucci – Danilo – Bernadeschi – Locatelli – Bentacur – Cuadrado – Kean – Chiesa
Last matches played by Juventus:
Zenit St. Petersburg – Juventus Direct comparison / H2H balance
The two teams have faced each other once before in the group stage of the Champions League in the 2008/09 season. In the first leg, the Zebre won 1-0 at home before the return leg in St. Petersburg produced a goalless draw
Zenit St. Petersburg – Juventus Tip
When it comes to Zenit St. Petersburg against Juventus, the prediction has to take into account the visitors’ tremendous form, who have also had the necessary bit of luck on their side recently and have finally found their old strength again, especially defensively. On the other hand, the Russian home side have lost their last two league matches in a row.
Although the value for a low-scoring match, in which a single goal might be the deciding factor, is very high. Looking at the Zebre’s form curve, however, we see the best ratio of probability of occurrence and winning opportunity in betting on an away win for the Italians.
Betting odds of 2.18 are available on Zenit St. Petersburg vs Juventus for tip 2.
