The problems within the Zenit St. Petersburg locker room have been well chronicled and many have attributed the team's poor start in the UCL to the player's personal problems among each other.
Nonetheless this team should still compete in Group C, which many felt they were favorites to win. But two bad results have them staring at a tough battle in the final half of the group tournament. They got off to a disappointing 3-0 loss to Malaga that included two goals from Isco. They improved marginally at home against Milan. After falling behind 2-0, they found a way to obtain two goals form Hulk and Roman Shikorov to regain momentum. But they managed to implode as Tomas Hubocan scored an own goal to give Milan the win and relegate Zenit to last place in the group. They haven't exactly been dominant in the Russian League as they have fallen to fourth place by virtue of two losses and three draws in 12 matches.
The will have their hands full against a capable Anderlecht squad that is tied for first in the Belgian League and was able to hold potent Milan to zero goals for 90 minutes. They did fall to Malaga 3-0, but have proven to be a strong defensive club. What they desperately need are some goals if they hope to make a run in this tournament.
Prediction: Zenit should have this one. They are home and far better than they have shown. Anderlecht has had trouble scoring while Zenit excels in this particular area. 2-0 Zenit.
Start Time: 12 p.m. EDT
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