I have no doubt that Andre Villas-Boas’ team will be technically ready to face Benfica. Yes, technically, but the lack of game practice can serve a bad turn for Zenit. Benfica had a long winning streak in Portugal, but lost the last game against Porto. But that was Primeira and now it would be other tactics for them. Benfica should remember last year’s clash when they conceded two goals and got their player sent off playing against the Russians. So I think that they wouldn’t go forward from the very beginning, giving some free space to Zenit. St.Petersburg’s team are very dangerous with counter attacks.
I don’t expect a lot of goals from this game. But Zenit will definitely struggle in the second half because it’s their first official game after the winter break. Maybe at the end of the match, Benfica will take advantage of that. So their task is not to concede in the first half.
We can back Benfica to score after the break. They’ll strike using the fatigue of Zenit.