Will Zenit get their first points in Group H?
Neither Zenit St. Petersburg nor Malmö FF have mastered the group opener in this year’s Champions League. There was defeat for both clubs on the first matchday of the top flight. Zenit lost in London, while Malmö squandered home advantage against the Turin team. Now the two outsiders in Group H will meet at Zenit’s Gazprom Arena.
As expected, the home side are the favourites with the best bookmakers. Odds of 1.56 are offered for a home win by Zenit St. Petersburg against Malmö. Not surprising at all, because the guests from Sweden are – at least according to statistical cross-comparison – the points supplier of the group.
Malmö FF have not won a single match in the group stage of the top flight since October 2015 Since then, the Swedish representatives have suffered four defeats in a row in their Champions League group matches, conceding a total of 20 goals. It is quite possible that the next debacle will follow.
The home side from St. Petersburg are in impressive form. So far this season, the Himmelblauen have only lost the match against Chelsea. Since then, they have won two matches in a row in the Russian top flight, including the dress rehearsal against their league rivals from Samara.
Russian Federation Zenit St. Petersburg – Statistics & current form
Zenit are aiming for their first points in the group stage of the premier league. In doing so, the reigning Russian Premier League champions not only want to compensate for their failed group opener against Chelsea, but also end their negative trend in the Champions League. All season, Zenit have picked up just one point from their last eight group matches in the top flight
What is encouraging ahead of the home game against the guests from Malmö is the form curve this season. Apart from the narrow away defeat at the Londoners, Zenit St. Petersburg have not lost a single match in the competition this season. In the domestic Premier League, Zenit are already leading the table after nine matchdays.
The Himmelblauen have been particularly convincing with their concentrated attack. On average, Zenit scored more than two goals per league match. Sardar Azmoun, who with five goals – equal with Aleksandr Erokhin – is the most dangerous player in the ranks of the Russian representatives, played a major part in this.
Will Zenit flex their offensive muscles against Malmö?
Although Zenit went scoreless in their group opener against Chelsea, the result against the Londoners’ defensive bulwark should not be overrated. It is quite possible that Zenit’s concentrated attack will break the knot on the second matchday. Malmö comes in handy for the Russian representative.
After all, the Swedish representatives have been among the shooting galleries of the top flight in recent years – provided Malmö took part in the group stage. Head coach Sergey Semak will only have to do without three players for the home match against MFF due to injury. There are no other absentees. Compared to the recent starting eleven, some changes are to be expected.
Semak had spared some key players before the crucial home match against Malmö. If the Himmelblauen manage a home win with their best line-up, odds of 1.56 are paid out on the home side for Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Malmö.
Predicted line-up of Zenit St. Petersburg:
Kritsyuk – Barrios, Christyakov, Rakitskiy – Sutormin, Kuzyayev, Wendel, Santos – Malcom, Dzyuba, Azmoun
Last matches played by Zenit St. Petersburg:
Sweden Malmo – Statistics & current form
For the time being, Malmö FF could end their ongoing form crisis. After five matches in a row without a win, the Swedish record champions have now won two matches in a row in the Allsvenskan. Malmö not only overtook AIK Stockholm, but also kept up with the leaders.
Nine matchdays before the end of the season, the gap to the top of the table is only three points. Malmö FF are still a hot candidate for the championship, even though MFF have had a mixed season so far. Before the championship battle continues in the Swedish top flight, the focus during the week is on the international adventure.
Like Wednesday’s opponents from St. Petersburg, Malmö also conceded defeat on matchday one. In contrast to Zenit, who played a match on equal terms against Chelsea, Malmö suffered a clear defeat against Juventus, who were in poor form. Before the end of the second half, MFF scored three times in their own box.
Will Malmö be overrun by the Russian representative?
The back line has been shaky lately anyway. Apart from the away win against Elfsborg, Malmö FF have conceded at least one goal in each of their last seven competitive matches. As expected, the highest defeat came in the Champions League. Speaking of the top flight, the season-long statistics in the top flight don’t look good either.
In the group phase of the Champions League, Malmö FF have not suffered four defeats in a row, conceding a total of 20 goals – an average of five goals conceded per Champions League group game. It cannot be ruled out that the negative trend will continue against the in-form Russian representatives.
Head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson has a total of five absentees for the away game in St. Petersburg. The absence of Oscar Lewicki is particularly serious. After all, the 29-year-old was set to play in defensive midfield.
Predicted line-up of Malmö:
Diawara – Larsson, Ahmedhodzic, Brorsson, Nielsen, Olsson – Rakip, Innocent, Christiansen – Birmancevic, Colak
Last matches played by Malmö:
Zenit St. Petersburg – Malmo Direct comparison / H2H-balance
Zenit St. Petersburg and Malmö FF meet for the first time ever
Russian Federation Zenit St. Petersburg – Malmö Sweden Tip
Although Zenit St. Petersburg failed to score in their group opener against Chelsea, the Russian representative left a positive impression in the narrow away defeat in London. For long stretches, it was a match on a par with the Blues, with Zenit only narrowly missing out on their first points in the group stage.
The Himmelblauen are in excellent form this season anyway. Apart from the group game against Chelsea, Zenit have not lost a competitive match this season. Accordingly, the reigning Russian champions will approach their second group match against Malmö FF with a broad chest.
Just like the Russian top club, MFF also suffered a defeat in their group opener. The Swedish record holders were shown up by Juventus and conceded a total of three goals after a largely poor performance. Since then, Malmö have managed to end their ongoing form crisis and at least picked up two important wins in the Allsvenskan in the championship race.
Nevertheless, we see the hosts from St. Petersburg as clear favourites on Wednesday evening and tend to expect a comfortable home victory for the Himmelblauen. For Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Malmö , our betting odds are on a win for Zenit at attractive odds We are betting on six units
