Chelsea v Zenit betting tips: Blues hope to cruise past Russians

This looks an easy start for the Blues, who are 1/16 favourites to win in Group H, which also comprises Juventus and Malmo.

Russian Premier League champions for a third successive season, Zenit have started well in their bid to retain their domestic title and top the table after going unbeaten in their first seven games.

However, they have not fared well in Europe of late.

Zenit are winless in their last seven Champions League games (D1 L6) – their longest run without a victory in Europe’s top club competition.

They managed just one draw from six in the group phase last season and are 18/1 to win at Stamford Bridge. The draw is on offer at 11/2.

Chelsea v Zenit head-to-head

This will be the first meeting between Chelsea and Zenit in European competition while the Blues are unbeaten in six previous games against Russian sides in the Champions League (W5 D1).

Zenit won their first away game against an English opponent in Europe when beating Bradford in the Intertoto Cup.

However, they have lost on their last three trips to England, most recently at Liverpool in the 2013 Europa League. Zenit are 19/5 to win or draw the game in the Double Chance market.

Chelsea v Zenit key battles

Chelsea will be mindful of striker Artem Dzyuba (pictured above).

In just 18 Champions League starts for Zenit, he has been directly involved in 13 goals (nine goals, four assists) and is 4/1 to score at any time.

Chelsea’s success in Europe is partly down to a strong defence.

Since the start of the 2020-21 season, no team lost fewer games in the competition (one) or kept more clean sheets (nine) than Chelsea, including last season’s final against Manchester City.

The Blues are 4/7 to keep a clean sheet against Zenit and it is 6/1 they win 1-0.

Romelu Lukaku has 13 goals in 27 Champions league games for Manchester United and Inter Milan.

The Belgian striker has also found the net against his last two Russian opponents and, after a brace against Villa on Saturday, is 3/5 to score at any time and 21/10 to grab the first goal.

Likewise, Timo Werner has scored four times and claimed two assists in his limited European action for Chelsea and three of his four Champions League goals have come at Stamford Bridge.

Werner is 6/5 to score at any time.

View the latest Champions League odds

All odds and markets are correct at the time of publication