Zenit St Petersburg Vs FC Tambov
Saturday 22 August 2020 – 16:00 Kick-Off
Russian Premier League
Pick: Zenit WIN & Both To Score
Odds: 5/2
Bookmaker: Boylesports
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 20 August 2020)
Preview: Dominating the competition last season, it has been another ominous start to 2020-21 from Zenit. The reigning Russian champions have surged into an early lead, becoming the only side to win its first three fixtures. Can Tambov, beaten 2-1 in this fixture last time around, provide any meaningful resistance at the Gazprom Arena?
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Table of Contents
Zenit Preview – Champs seeking fourth-straight win to begin the term?
The current champs have made a seamless transition from last season into next, with the extraordinarily short turnaround between the two – little more than a couple weeks from 2019-20 ending and 2020-21 beginning – not enough to halt the Russian juggernaut that is Zenit (1st – W3 D0 L0). After three rounds they are the only side still boasting a 100 per cent record, quickly assuming top spot once again.
Sergei Semak’s men are bidding to make it three consecutive league titles. It has been an ideal start, recording straightforward wins against the newly promoted Rotor Volgograd (0-2) and an always tricky Rostov (0-2). Then came the visit of CSKA Moscow to Saint Petersburg, and it would be fair to say the Lions were handed their sternest examination so far, battling to a 2-1 victory at the Gazprom Arena.
So, after CSKA did their utmost but ultimately came up just short, who can realistically stop them? Zenit are now up to 22 games unbeaten in the Premier League, winning 18, and haven’t been beaten in Saint Petersburg since December of 2018. They’re four wins from four for this season, when including the Russian Super Cup victory over Lokomotiv Moscow, notching two goals in each having conceded only twice thus far.
Tambov Preview – Now off the mark, can they deal an early blow to the champions?
At the third time of asking, Tambov (11th – W1 D0 L2) are off the mark in their second successive term in the Russian top-flight. Surviving by the finest of fine margins last time around, when all that separated them from demotion was a combination of the head-to-head rule and goal difference, Sergei Pervushin’s side have mirrored last season’s start by following up back-to-back defeats with a win to nil at home.
Khimki, among the latest additions to the Premier League, were the team Tambov managed to get the better off last time out. But it was hardly convincing. A missed penalty early into the second period prevented them from doubling a lead given to them less than fifteen minutes in, while a red card for defender Aleksei Gritsayenko not only made the task more difficult but results in a swift suspension.
Unfortunately, this newfound momentum is likely to be scuppered almost immediately. That is because a trip to Zenit is up next. The Wolves would depart Saint Petersburg with their heads held high last season, though, providing their illustrious hosts with a late scare in a 2-1 loss. This time, however, they head there in dire form: losing nine of their last thirteen league games (W4) and six of their last eight when away (W1 D1).
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Zenit Vs Tambov Betting Advice
With their narrow win at home to CSKA Moscow, Zenit are now three from three in this season’s Premier League – the only side to have won each of their first three fixtures. It has enabled them to stretch their unbeaten streak in the league to 22 (W18 D4). Meanwhile last season Sergei Semak’s team went the entire campaign without losing on home soil (W10 D5) and are now enjoying a five-game winning run at their Gazprom Arena.
Zenit Vs Tambov – Key Facts
- Following their midweek victory over CSKA Moscow, when winning 2-1 in Saint Petersburg, Zenit have now won five successive home games whilst conceding at least once.
- A first win of the campaign for Tambov in midweek, overcoming newly-promoted Khimki at home. Last season they scored in 11 of 15 away games (W3 D3 L9).
- Both head-to-head clashes in 2019-20 went the way of Zenit, who prevailed 2-1 at home and away. Five of the six goals, meanwhile, were netted in the second half.
Last season, Zenit kept six clean sheets across fifteen home matches – a surprisingly low strike rate considering their dominance over the competition. Tambov, meanwhile, made life difficult for CSKA in their only away encounter of this season so far, levelling it up at 1-1 before losing 2-1. They would net in 11 of 15 away fixtures last term, including the visit to Saint Petersburg when losing 2-1. A repeat is enticingly priced.
Best Betting Odds – Zenit Vs Tambov
Zenit – 1/5 (Boylesports)
Draw – 11/2 (Bet365)
Tambov – 15/1 (Betfair)
