Reigning Russian Premier League champions Zenit St. Petersburg kicked off the season with a 3-1 win over Khimki thanks to goals from Sardar Azmoun, Aleksandr Yerokhin, and Aleksei Sutormin. Now, Zenit St. Petersburg will visit Rostov seeking a second straight victory.
Rostov stumbled on matchday 1 of the Russian Premier League season.
They fell 2-0 to Dinamo Moscow to start the season and now need to get a victory to jumpstart the campaign. However, getting a win against Zenit St. Petersburg is easier said than down.
Готовимся к «Зениту» 😤 pic.twitter.com/GvvPzzdZcW— Football Club Rostov (@rostovfc) July 28, 2021
Готовимся к «Зениту» 😤 pic.twitter.com/GvvPzzdZcW
Zenit St. Petersburg are unbeaten in four straight games versus Rostov. Last season, Zenit St. Petersburg claimed a win and draw versus Rostov in the Russian Premier League.
Rostov have not defeated Zenit St. Petersburg since 2018-19. Their victory came in Rostov before going on four straight matches without a victory.
Zenit St. Petersburg manager Sergei Semak has two players on the injury list going into the match. Forward Sardar Azmoun, who scored against Khimki, is a doubt due to a muscle injury but could be fit enough to make the bench.
Azmoun scored 19 goals for Zenit St. Petersburg last term – the team’s second-most goals. The forward could lead Zenit St. Petersburg before the transfer window closes as Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen have put a bid in for him.
Artem Dyzuba led the team in goals a season ago with 20. Midfielder Wendel has a foot issue and it could keep him out of the game. Zenit St. Petersburg sold Argentine forward flop Sebastian Driussi to Austin FC in Major League Soccer.
Rostov head coach Valeri Karpin has one player on the team’s injury list as forward Aleksandr Dolgov is ruled out until October with an ACL injury. After failing to score on matchday 1, Karpin will be looking for any bright spots in the final third.
Zenit St. Petersburg started the season on the right foot by winning the Russian Super Cup against Lokomotiv Moscow 3-0. They are on a roll currently and should claim a third win of the young season against Rostov.
Three of the last four games between the clubs ended in wins for Zenit St. Petersburg. Sunday’s game should be no different as the Sky Blues claim another victory over Rostov.
Zenit St. Petersburg should claim another win to nil as Rostov struggle in the final third. A win could send Zenit St. Petersburg to the top of the table ahead of first-place Krasnodar.