Chelsea vs Zenit St Petersburg Predictions

• Chelsea are unbeaten in 11 Champions League group stage games
• The Blues have won five of their six meetings with Russian sides in this competition
• Zenit lost all of their trips in last season’s group stage by at least two goals
• The visitors conceded a penalty in all three of those defeats

History favours the hosts

Chelsea return to the Champions League after lifting the trophy in Lisbon last term and they’re expected to return with a victory. Only two of the last 27 seasons have seen the defending champions lose their opener. When the champions kick-off at home, they’ve won in 12 of 18 seasons.

Chelsea are unbeaten in 11 group stage games, they’ve lost once in 13 Champions League games overall and they’ve got a brilliant record against Russian sides in this competition. With five wins from six encounters (D1) its little wonder the Blues are so short for a home win.

Zenit’s dire record

Last term was one to forget for Zenit. They are winless in their last seven UEFA Champions League games (D1 L6). That includes last season’s dismal return of only one point from their six group games.

The visitors lost by at least two goals in each of their three Champions League trips last term. That poor record wasn’t helped by the fact that they conceded a penalty in all three games. With that in mind, Jorginho looks like a great value scorer bet. The Blues were awarded five penalties in six group games last year so they have form in that department too.

Chelsea’s class to tell

Zenit should struggle against a Chelsea side who have made a brilliant start to the new season. The Blues have won 3-0 in their two home games so far, winning three of their four Premier League games by two clear goals.

We think the hosts are great value on a -1 handicap for a win here, while another 3-0 victory wouldn’t be a surprise. The Blues have kept nine clean sheets in their last 13 matches in this competition, so back them for another convincing win to nil.