On Thursday night, German side RB Leipzig host Russian outfit Zenit Saint Petersburg in the Europa League last-16 first leg.
RB Leipzig are experiencing their first ever European campaign. The home side dropped out of the Champions League after finishing third in a group involving Porto, Besiktas and Monaco.
Their only experience in this competition is their last-32 tie against Italian leaders Napoli, who they shocked 3-1 in Naples in the first leg. The German side lost the second leg 2-0 against the Azzurri but progressed on away goals.
RB’s recent form heading into this clash has been poor, as they have failed to win in their last four games, suffering three defeats in the process. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have also not kept a clean sheet in five games. Two wins in their last ten games in all competitions at the RB Bull Arena is not a great record either.
Zenit are more seasoned European campaigners than the home side. In the last round, the Russian side defeated Celtic 3-1 on aggregate, losing the first leg 1-0 in Glasgow before winning 3-0 in the reverse fixture.
The visitors have won seven of their last nine games in this competition, with the defeat against Celtic their only defeat in the nine-game run.
Zenit have been inconsistent on their travels in this competition of late, winning just three of their last nine on the road in the Europa League. However, they are unbeaten their last three games in Germany in this competition, in games against Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Stuttgart.
Zenit’s recent away games in this competition have been low scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last seven games on their travels.
RB Leipzig’s form is not great at the minute, but they do have the quality to cause Zenit problems. Forebet predicts this clash will finish in a low-scoring draw.