Zenit St Petersburg v CSKA Moscow Preview & Tips: Crucial top four clash in Russia

Mat Marshall

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Last updated: 27 Apr 2018

Mat Marshall 27 Apr 2018

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A place in next seasons Champions League is on the line in St Petersburg

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Zenit St Petersburg v CSKA Moscow Preview & Tip

CSKA Moscow's Konstantin Kuchayev and Zenit St Petersburg's Branislav Ivanovic on October 22, 2017 (Epsilon/Getty Images)

Zenit host CSKA at the Saint-Petersburg Stadium just two points behind the Moscow club in the race for the top three. The stakes couldn’t be higher with a spot in the prestigious and lucrative Champions League at stake.

Zenit St Petersburg

Zenit’s season is in danger of failure if they don’t qualify for the Champions League next season. Roberto Mancini’s side are on the outside looking in, but a win at home against CSKA will allow the Lions to overtake the Moscow club.

They missed a great opportunity last weekend with a disappointing 3-3 draw at Arsenal Tula. Down 2-1 with time running out, Igor Gorbatenko was sent off for the home side with Daler Kuzyaev scoring twice to put Zenit 3-2 up. On loan Zenit striker Artem Dzyuba had the last laugh however, punishing his parent club with a late equaliser.

Leandro Paredes will be an important player in central midfield. Goalkeeper Andrey Lunev is a doubt with Aleksandr Kokorin, Emanuel Mammana long-term casualties.

CSKA Moscow

CSKA have won their last two games but need to keep the momentum going in order to secure Champions League football next season. Down 1-0 against FC Krasnodar last weekend, Ahmed Musa scored two late goals to give the Horses a crucial win.

Viktor Vasin is out for the season and Kirill Nababkin is a doubt after picking up a knock against Krasnodar. Pontus Wernbloom and Alan Dzagoev are doubtful but will hope to recover in time.

Viktor Goncharenko’s side are anchored by the 35-year-old Berezutski twins and 38-year-old Sergey Ignashevich in defence. The old timers have shown their experience is invaluable despite the inevitable loss of pace.

Match Up

The reverse fixture in October was a tight affair with neither side able to break the deadlock. These clubs have been difficult to separate recently with the last three encounters ending in a draw with only two goals scored.

Zenit are missing some of their most important players in top scorer Korkorin, central defender Mammana and goalkeeper Lunev. It remains to be seen if they can overcome that hindrance against a hungry CSKA on Sunday.

Key Statistics

Zenit have drawn their last 3 matches against CSKA Moscow (All competitions).
Zenit have been drawing at both HT and FT in their last 3 matches against CSKA Moscow (All competitions).
Zenit have seen under 2.5 goals in 6 of their last 7 home matches against CSKA Moscow (All competitions).
CSKA Moscow are undefeated in 18 of their last 20 away matches (Russian Premier League).

Verdict

Zenit are missing important players and Roberto Mancini is under pressure. They have to win here with a trip to league leaders Lokomotiv next weekend.

CSKA will want to win but know that defeat could be disastrous. A fourth straight draw between these sides would be a decent result for CSKA with two home games coming up.