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| PROBABLE LINE-UPS |
ZENIT ST PETERSBURG  MalafeevAnyukov, Alves, Lukovic, Criscito Semak, Denisov, ZyryanovFaizulin, Bukharov, Danny | SHAKHTAR DONETSK  Rybka Srna, Rakytskiy, Kucher, Rat Hubschmann, Mkhitaryan Douglas Costa, Teixeira, Willian Luiz Adriano |
Zenit star man Danny sat out Thursday's league win over Volga, but having served his domestic suspension will return for Tuesday's clash. Nicolas Lombaerts was a late casualty in that match, and could be replaced by Aleksandr Lukovic. Aleksandr Kerzhakov remains sidelined, meaning Aleksandr Bukharov's run in the first team is set to continue.
Dmytro Chyrgynskiy will miss the trip to Russia through injury, but Yaroslav Rakitskiy, who missed the previous two group stage games is set to return, having completed his suspension. Luiz Adriano missed Saturday's 3-2 win over Oleksandria, but will be fine to face the Russian champions.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- In 1999, Zenit St Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti's Sampdoria side beat Mircea
Lucescu's Inter outfit 4-0, in what proved to be the current Shakhtar boss' last game in charge of the Italian giants.
- The Russian champions have won their last eight European home ties.
- This is the first time Zenit have ever hosted a Ukrainian team since the break-up of the Soviet Union.
- Shakhtar Donetsk defeated Zenit St Petersburg three times in the 1980s in Soviet Cup semi-final ties, requiring a penalty shoot-out each time.
- The Ukrainian champions have faced Russian opposition just once in Uefa competition prior to this season, suffering a 3-2 defeat to Lokomotiv Moscow in the 2003-04 qualifying rounds.
- These two sides won the Soviet Supreme League three times between them, with the Ukrainian outfit victorious on two occasions in the 1970s.
Prediction
Despite notching two wins on the trot, Shakhtar Donetsk's form both domestically and in European games has been indifferent at best of late. Zenit, on the other hand, have been on top of their game since the disappointing defeat to APOEL, and given their impressive home record in European ties, Expect the Russians to collect victory.
Editor's Prediction
Zenit 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk 
