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| PROBABLE LINE-UPS |
ZENIT ST PETERSBURG  MalafeevAnyukov, Alves, Lombaerts, Criscito Bystrov, Denisov, Zyryanov, ShirokovBukharov, Danny | APOEL  Pardo Poursaitidis, Jorge, Jahic, Oliveira Morais, Pinto Marcinho, Manduca Trickovski, Solari/Ailton |
Nicolas Lombaerts returned from injury to feature in Friday's 0-0 draw with Anzhi and is expected to feature once again for the visit of the Cypriots, who currently lead Group G. Danny also made a return from a spell on the sidelines in that match, having been out with ligament damage, and will take his place in the starting XI.
One absentee, however, is Aleksandr Kerzhakov, who has been out for six weeks with an ankle problem and is unlikely to be passed fit for this contest.
Nektarios Alexandrou missed the weekend victory over Ermis Aradippou after returning from international duty with a calf knock, while Ailton also missed out due to a thigh injury and faces a struggle to be ready in time for the trip to Zenit.
Paulo Jorge and Ivan Trickovski both returned to action from ankle and thigh problems respectively, and will feature, but Dionisis Chiotis and William Boaventura are sidelined.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Zenit fell to APOEL in Nicosia on matchday one, but have a formidable home record,
winning their last nine European ties on home soil.
- The Russian side's next European victory will be their 50th triumph in European competition.
- APOEL have lost just once in five away trips in this season's Champions League qualification, including the qualifying rounds.
- Victory over Zenit would see APOEL through to the knockout stages as winners of Group B, and could perhaps progress with a draw if Porto fail to defeat Shakhtar Donetsk in Portugal.
- This is only the second time that both Zenit and APOEL have competed in the Champions League group stages.
Prediction
It's difficult to write off the Cypriots, who have been so impressive in this campaign so far, but Zenit are a superior team, and not only will they look to make amends for their defeat on matchday one, their excellent home record will also stand them in good stead.
Editor's Prediction
Zenit 2-1 APOEL Nicosia 
