Celtic travel to Zenit with a one-goal advantage from the first leg as Brenda Rodgers looks to keep his side in the Europa League. Zenit will be confident of turning this one around, however, with a strong home record.
Form Guide
Zenit
The hosts have not played since last week’s defeat to Celtic but were nine unbeaten heading into that game. Brendan Rodgers will be hoping he can work his magic again in what will be an incredibly testing away time.
Celtic
One defeat in their last 12 puts Celtic in decent nick heading into this game. This competition is vital to their success this season however as they look to measure themselves on the European stage.
Did You Know?
The 1-0 win at Celtic Park was the first-ever meeting between these clubs so I guess you could say Celtic have never lost! Hard to read too much into this previous encounter.
Team News
Zenit
Roberto Mancini is unlikely to tinker with his side who were unlucky to come out second best in the first leg. That means that a front three of Alexander Kokorin, Anton Zabolotny and Emiliano Rigoni will be trusted with getting Zenit the goals they need to progress to the next round.
Celtic
The big decision that Brendan Rodgers faces is whether or not to play Scott Sinclair who was on the bench in the first leg. The midfield quartet of Scott Brown, Olivier Ntcham, Eboue Kouassi and Callum McGregor were praised for performing well and it is unlikely that Rodgers will want to change what was a solid line-up at Celtic Park.
Prediction
This will be an incredibly tight encounter but I think Celtic have enough about them to come through. This game is crucial for their season and with or without Scott Sinclair, an early away goal would put them in a fantastic position.
Zenit 1-1 Celtic
