Zenit St Petersburg vs Villarreal Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 04/03/2019, 17:28  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 04/03/2019 at 18:29 in Europa League Prediction

Zenit St Petersburg top the Russian Premier League and host Spanish side Villarreal who are in the relegation zone in La Liga. The Russian side have won their last six home games in the Europa League and haven't suffered a home defeat in their last 12. This season has seen them top their Europa League group finishing a point ahead of Slavia Prague. That was due to their home form winning all three of their home games, all by a one-goal margin. They took on Fenerbahce in the last 32 and again had their home form to thank for their progress, losing the away first leg 1-0 before winning 3-1 at home.

Villarreal take a day off from their La Liga relegation battle. They are currently 18th in the table, two points from safety with just one win in their last 13 league games. Their form in the Europa League is better though topping their group ahead of Austria Vienna. Eight of their ten points came at home with two draws and a defeat on their travels. They did win 1-0 at Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their last 32 tie but that's their only win in their last five away games in this competition. Go for Zenit to get a narrow home win in this first leg.