Slavia Prague vs Zenit St Petersburg Predictions

Zenit can afford to rest players for their final group game in the Europa League knowing that top spot has already been assured, but Slavia Praha still need to win to ensure they claim second place ahead of København or Bordeaux. The hosts have a two point lead on third spot and four points on last placed Bordeaux, but a defeat would open the door for one of the teams below them to clinch the final qualifying spot.

Slavia Praha maintained their league at the top of the Czech Liga on Saturday, following victory in a five-goal thriller against Mladá Boleslav. A twentieth minute penalty from Škoda saw Slavia Praha leading 1-0 at the break, and the hosts added two further goals through Stoch and Olayinka to go 3-0 up with seventeen minutes left on the clock. Komlichenko managed to score two late goals for the visitors just to take the shine off the result for Slavia Praha, but the hosts picked up another three points in their pursuit of the league title.

Zenit lost at home to Rubin Kazan on Sunday, but still sit top of the Russian Premier League after seventeen games. A double from Sorokin in the seventh and fiftieth minute saw Rubin move into a two goal lead a the Saint-Petersburg Stadium and despite pulling a goal back before the hour mark through a Paredes penalty, Zenit could not force a draw. Zenit’s lead at the top of the table has been reduced to just one point, with fellow Europa League side Krasnodar piling on the pressure in second place.

Zenit were completely outplayed when they played host to Slavia Praha in October, with the visitors having 57% of the possession, twenty-one shots, and thirteen corners. However, despite having just three shots on target during the ninety minutes, Zenit claimed all three points thanks to an eightieth minute strike from substitute Kokorin.

Slavia Praha certainly owe Zenit one after their last encounter, and with five wins from their last six matches, Thursday’s hosts are the clear form favourites. However, Slavia are yet to beat Zenit, with the pairing meeting twice, once in the Europa League and the other time in a friendly back in January. Slavia have struggled for goals in the group stage, with just two goals scored in their five Europa League games this season.

We’re backing Zenit with a double chance bet on Thursday and for the game to end in a goalless draw. The visitors have not lost in the Europa League this season, a record they will be keen to maintain for as long as possible. Slavia Praha have lost two and drawn one of their group games so far, and have struggled to bring their domestic performances onto the European stage.