ZENIT v VILLARREAL
Europa League
Thursday 7th March 2019
Kickoff: 1855hrs
Pick: Both teams to score
Bookmaker: Comeon
Odds: 2.05 (odds taken at 23:57 GMT, 05 Mar 2019)
Zenit take on Villarreal in this first leg of the round of 16 as the betting tips continue at the Saint-Petersburg Stadium as the hosts continue their fights on two fronts, and looking to progress through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Europa League Betting at Comeon
Zenit Prediction
Zenit resumed their season in the Russian Premier League by securing top spot after a 1-0 win away at Ural on the weekend and amidst a flurry of club friendlies during the Russian domestic winter break, Zenit made their way through to the round of 16 following a 3-2 aggregate win over Fenerbahce in the previous knockout round.
The Russian club were given a scare early though as they lost 1-0 away in Turkey before returning to their Saint-Petersburg Stadium to record a decisive 3-1 win in the second leg which saw the hosts progress through with a 3-2 aggregate win.
Zenit have lost three of their last 11 matches overall in the Europa League, but all three of these losses came away from home in defeats at Molde, Slavia Prague and Fenerbahce, while on home turf, Zenit are unbeaten in their last 12 matches, winning 11 of these with notable wins against Celtic, Slavia Prague, Bordeaux and Copenhagen.
The danger men are midfielder Erokhin (5 goals) and forwards Dzyuba (5 goals) and Driussi (4 goals).
Key-Facts – Zenit v Villarreal
- Zenit have won 11 of their last 12 home matches at home in the Europa League
- Villarreal are unbeaten in their last 8 matches overall in the Europa League
- Villarreal have lost just 1 of their last 12 away matches in this competition
Villarreal Prediction
Having recently suffered back-to-back defeats in La Liga with losses to Atletico Madrid and Deportivo Alaves, Villarreal’s preparations ahead of this two-legged round of 16 clash with Zenit couldn’t have been worse.
Villarreal made their way through to the round of 16 with a 2-1 aggregate win against Portuguese outfit Sporting CP after they recorded a first leg 1-0 win in Portugal before holding Sporting to a 1-1 draw in the return leg at their Estadio de la Cerámica.
Overall form in the Europa League has been steady if not spectacular as the Spanish club are unbeaten in their last eight matches overall in this competition, but this includes five draws along with wins against Rapid Vienna, Spartak Moscow and Sporting.
With just one defeat out of their last 12 matches on their travels, Villarreal need to be respected here, especially with the likes of former Arsenal midfielder Cazorla along with Bacca, Moreno and Ekambi (4 goals apiece) in their attacking personnel.
Betting Tips Verdict
Both teams possess solid records both home and away and this looks like being a tight contest, with both teams scoring in this first leg. Dzyuba and Bacca could feature in the goals tonight.
