MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 18:13:21| >> :600:10049011:10049011:
[monks data]
Club Brugge
Champions League | Group Stage
Dec 2, 2020 at 8pm UK
Jan Breydelstadion
Zenit St Petersburg

Brugge
3 - 0
Zenit

De Ketelaere (33'), Vanaken (58' pen.), Lang (73')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Sutormin (67'), Prokhin (90')

Preview: Club Brugge vs. Zenit St Petersburg - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Champions League clash between Club Brugge and Zenit St Petersburg, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Club Brugge play host to Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday evening knowing that victory is required if they wish to qualify for the Champions League last 16.

However, after beating Zenit in Russia on matchday one, Brugge head into this contest aware that a point will be enough to secure Europa League football after Christmas.


Match preview

Club Brugge head coach Philippe Clement pictured on November 4, 2020© Reuters

When they were drawn alongside Borussia Dortmund and Lazio in Group F, Brugge and Zenit would have been satisfied after missing out on some of the bigger clubs on the continent.

Nevertheless, the two outsiders have been outclassed during the opening four matchdays with their only win coming when they faced each other on October 20.

Since then, just one point has been recorded from their next three fixtures, leaving Brugge four points behind second place and Zenit already out of contention.

Philippe Clement will acknowledge that Europa League qualification is more realistic for his side, especially when they have been hit and miss in Belgium's top flight.

While they are currently on a four-match unbeaten streak on the domestic scene, they only sit in third place after collecting nine points from six matches.

Zenit's struggles since the beginning of the season have led to question marks being raised over the long-term future of Sergei Semak.

However, despite witnessing his side win just two of their last nine outings in all competitions, Zenit sit in first position in the Russian Premier League.

That has brought Semak a bit of breathing space, but the 44-year-old knows that finishing bottom of this group with a game to spare could leave him on the brink of the sack.

Zenit have recorded draws away at Akhmat Grozny and Arsenal Tula in their last two league matches, extending their unbeaten record on their travels in Russia to six games.

Club Brugge Champions League form: WDLL
Club Brugge form (all competitions): DLWWLD

Zenit St Petersburg Champions League form: LLDL
Zenit St Petersburg form (all competitions): WDWDLD


Team News

Zenit St Petersburg head coach Sergei Semak pictured in April 2019© Reuters

With maximum points required from this game, Semak may consider using Malcom, Sardar Azmoun and Artem Dyzuba in a front three.

However, the latter is an injury doubt, and that could lead to the Russia international dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

Dejan Lovren is serving a suspension for three yellow cards, meaning that youngster Danila Prokhin may be given an opportunity in defence.

Clement may consider making a couple of changes to the team which could only record a goalless draw at Excel Mouscron at the weekend.

Emmanuel Dennis is in line for a recall in attack, while Krepin Diatta may return on the opposite flank.

Club Brugge possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Mata, Kossounou, Deli, Ketelaere; Balanta, Vormer, Vanaken; Dennis, Krmencik, Diatta

Zenit St Petersburg possible starting lineup:
Kerzhakov; Prokhin, Rakitskiy, Zhirkov; Kuzyaev, Barrios, Santos, Mostovoy; Malcom, Dzyuba, Azmoun


SM words green background

We say: Club Brugge 1-2 Zenit St Petersburg

Despite their current position in the group, it remains to be seen how Brugge will react to succumbing so tamely in their double-header with Dortmund. With nothing to lose, we feel that Zenit could rise to the occasion here, recording a result which would give them an edge heading into matchday six.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data



ID:424418:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6327:

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Club Brugge win with a probability of 46.47%. A win for Zenit St Petersburg had a probability of 28.01% and a draw had a probability of 25.5%.

The most likely scoreline for a Club Brugge win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.8%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.24%) and 2-0 (8.23%). The likeliest Zenit St Petersburg win was 0-1 (7.97%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.13%). The actual scoreline of 3-0 was predicted with a 4.2% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Club Brugge would win this match.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Brugge vs Zenit

Club Brugge
49.5%
Draw
21.4%
Zenit St Petersburg
29.1%
632
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League on November 24, 2020
Read Next:
UCL Team of the Week - Sancho, Fernandes, Foden
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool440012
2Sporting Lisbon431010
3Brest431010
4Inter Milan431010
5Monaco431010
6Barcelona43019
7Dortmund43019
8Aston Villa43019
9Atalanta42208
10Juventus42117
11Lille42117
12Man City42117
13Arsenal42117
14B. Leverkusen42117
15Celtic42117
16Dinamo Zagreb42117
17AC Milan42026
18Bayern42026
19Benfica42026
20Feyenoord42026
21Real Madrid42026
22Brugge42026
23Atletico42026
24PSV41215
25Sparta Prague41124
26Stuttgart41124
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
36Slovan Bratislava40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!