Zenit St Petersburg vs. SL Benfica UEFA Champions League preview

Zenit St Petersburg have an immediate reunion with Portuguese opponents as their first participation in the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds pits them against SL Benfica.

The Russian champions drew 0-0 at FC Porto on matchday six to finish second behind APOEL FC in Group G. For Benfica, this tie represents a first appearance in the knockout rounds since 2005/06; their last three campaigns all ended in the group stage.

For the first meeting between the teams, Zenit will be looking to uphold their unbeaten home record against Portuguese opposition. In three fixtures they have won two and drawn the other.

The most recent encounter came on 28 September when the Russian club beat Porto 3-1 with Roman Shirokov’s two goals overturning James Rodríguez’s early opener. Danny then secured the points 18 minutes from time.

Zenit also drew 1-1 at home to CD Nacional in the 2009/10 UEFA Europa League play-offs, losing 5-4 on aggregate, and beat Vitória SC 2-1 in the UEFA Cup group stage in October 2005.

Benfica lost on their last visit to Russia, going down 2-0 at PFC CSKA Moskva in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup round of 32. That set up their only aggregate defeat by a Russian side with the home game ending 1-1.

That CSKA loss ended a six-match unbeaten run home and away against Russian sides, Benfica having won three and drawn three before that defeat. Away from home they drew two and won one.