Benfica vs Zenit St. Petersburg UCL Matchday 6 Odds, Picks & Betting Preview

• Russians can claim last 16 berth in tight battle
• Leipzig lead Group G with Lyon also seeking knockout place
• Portuguese league leaders aim for UEL spot

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Zenit St. Petersburg will be hoping to secure a place in the Champions League knockout stage when they travel to take on Benfica in Group G in Portugal on Tuesday.

First-placed Red Bull Leipzig have already qualified from the section but require a point at home against Lyon to confirm top spot.

UCL 2019-20 Group G Benfica v Zenit St. Petersburg Odds

Odds taken Dec. 5

In the tight battle beneath them, second-placed Zenit and third-placed Lyon both have seven points and identical records.

Benfica are bottom and can finish no higher than third to claim a place in the Europa League.

Home Hopes in Lisbon

The oddsmakers make Benfica favorites to win the Matchday 6 fixture at +126 on December 10, at Estadio Da Luz, Lisbon at 3:00 pm EST.

Zenit are priced at +193 with the draw at +250, which looks the best bet because both teams have something for which to play.

The Russian club are sure to go through if they win or draw at Benfica with Lyon failing to win at home to Leipzig.

They would also progress if they are beaten in Lisbon if Lyon lose to Leipzig.

If both games in the group are drawn, Zenit will go through on the basis of head-to-head superiority thanks to their 2-0 win at home against Lyon on Matchday 5.

📸 More action shots from our afternoon out on the ice yesterday ❄️#DavaiZenit2 pic.twitter.com/0zESEXncAq

— FC Zenit 2 ✨ (@fczenit2_en) December 4, 2019

It is one of two wins achieved by the St. Petersburg club. Zenit also beat Benfica at home by 3-1 on Matchday 2.

Artem Dzyuba opened the scoring on that occasion for Zenit in the 22^nd minute and Ruben Dias scored a 70th-minute own goal before Sardar Azmoun made it 3-0 to the Russians after 78 minutes.

Raúl De Tomás scored an 85th-minute consolation goal for the Portuguese side.

UCL Group G Benfica vs Zenit St. Petersburg Statistics

Benfica’s only win in the group came in a 2-1 victory at home against Lyon on Matchday 3. Their other point was secured in a 2-2 draw away at leaders Leipzig last month on Matchday 5.

Only Three Wins in 18 Games

The defeat of Lyon was one of only three wins in Benfica’s last 18 UCL group stage games. In total, they have lost 15 of their last 28 European fixtures.

However, Zenit have failed to win in their last 11 European away matches – drawing three and losing eight since a 3-1 victory at Real Sociedad on Matchday 6 of the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League.

They have won only three of their last 10 European matches in total, with six defeats and one draw.

Zenit led the Russian league after 18 matches following last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat of Spartak Moscow – with a record of 13 wins, three draws and two defeats.

Benfica led the table in Portugal after 11 wins and one defeat in 12 fixtures

Zenit led the Russian league after 18 matches following last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat of Spartak Moscow – with a record of 13 wins, three draws and two defeats.

✍ Rúben has extended his contract with us until 2024!#WeAreBenfica #MadeInBenfica pic.twitter.com/5UpVA7kDSe

— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) November 29, 2019

Head-to-head in this competition, Benfica were 1-0 winners in Portugal and 2-1 winners in Russia when they took on Zenit in the round of 16 in the UCL in 2015/16.

However, Zenit, came out on top in the 2014/15 UCL group stage when they were 2-0 winners in Lisbon and followed up with a 1-0 home success in Russia.

The teams also met in the group stage in 2011/12 competition. Zenit won 3-2 at home with Benfica winning the return clash 2-0.

Pick: Draw +250