By Content Editor
07 December 2021, 11:48 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Match Preview Zenit vs Chelsea Champions League Dec 8, 2021

The UEFA Champions League Group H fixture, FC Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Chelsea FC, kicks off at 18:45 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, December 8, at Krestovsky Stadium. Referee Serdar Gözübüyük (NED) will be in communication with the video assistant referee, Jochem Kamphuis (NED), when required during the length of the game.

Preview Zenit Champions League, Dec 8, 2021

Preview Zenit St. Petersburg are enjoying fine form in the Russian Premier League, sitting at the top of the domestic standings following Friday’s 2-2 draw against FC Rostov. Back on European soil, Zenit secured a spot in the Europa League on UCL Matchday 5, following the 1-1 draw against Malmo. Malmö took the lead through a 28th-minute strike from Søren Rieks, but a late penalty in stoppage time from Zenit’s Yaroslav Rakitskyi (90’+2 P.) saw the Russian outfit claim third place. The MD5 victory leaves Zenit with 4 points in Group H from 1W, 1D, and 3L. Unbeaten in five league games across all competitions, DWDWD, Sergey Semak aims to stretch the run to six games on Wednesday. Three at the back, in a 3—4—2—1 formation with Artem Dzyuba in attack, is anticipated for this game against Chelsea. Claudinho (31’ & 69’ P.), who bagged a brace against Rostov at the weekend, is expected to form part of the attacking duo behind Dzyuba. Claudinho has six goals, while Dzyuba has a haul of 10 to his name in the Russian league and remains the club’s top scorer. Dmitri Chistyakov, center-back, is suspended for this fixture against Chelsea.

Preview Chelsea Champions League, Dec 8, 2021

Preview The Blues are coming off the back of a shocking 3-2 defeat in the Premier League to West Ham. Chelsea had given up the lead twice before Arthur Masuaku (87’) stunned Benjamin Mendy in goal with a carefully disguised shot. And unlike a former Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel took the defeat on the chin. It’s my fault, he said. I don’t think he is ready for 45 minutes physically, but still we decided to bring him on for his height because we lost Kai. Tuchel added, speaking on his decision to bring in Lukaku, who was yet to get back to full fitness. I took the decision, so it’s my responsibility, Tuchel included. The Blues sit at the top of Group H with equal points as Juventus, 12 points each, from 4W, 0D & 1L. Having picked up their first defeat in five games, WWDWL, Thomas Tuchel, aims for a quick return to winning ways. Chelsea picked up their biggest win of the campaign on UCL Matchday 5, in a 4-0 win over Juventus. And having qualified for the round-of-16, Chelsea have their eyes set on the prize of a first-place finish. The title holders will line up in the usual 3—4—2—1 formation, with Timo Werner at the top of the design.

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