Both of these sides had a disappointing 2015/16 season. Zenit failed to make the Champions League on which their financial model is heavily based, whilst the Railwaymen fell off the rails (pardon the pun) and finished in sixth place after a disappointing spring term.
There was a bit of surprise when Zenit appointed former Shakhtar Donetsk manager Mircea Lucescu as their new manager, however, the fact they failed to qualify for the Champions League meant their hands were tied. Another big change is that instrumental attacker Hulk has left in a big-money move to China and it is expected that midfielder Axel Witsel will follow him through the exit door.
Despite these exits, the St. Petersburg club have been busy with incoming players and have secured attacking players Robert Mak and Guiliano.
Unfortunately for Zenit they will be without Guiliano or Mak for this game, along with Witsel and their star striker Artem Dzyuba.
Many observers of Russian football are predicting a bad season for Lokomotiv this season. The fact that they have failed to secure any major signings is worrying coupled with the loss of centre back Jan Durica and the likely departure of his defensive partner and team captain Vedran Corluka.
To add to these problems, with just days to go until the big kick off, there is still speculation around manager Igor Cherevchenko’s future whilst Lokomotiv’s ownership is still an absolute farce.
With Zenit being at home and having the better squad there is little value in backing them for a win so I have decided to go with a goalscorer at 11/5.
Striker Luka Đorđević possesses great potential but has found himself farmed out on loan in previous seasons. However, new manager Lucescu has given the Montenegrin a chance in pre-season and Đorđević has repaid his faith by scoring twice against Monaco and once against Sporting Lisbon.
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