Getty
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
BENFICA  Artur Emerson, Luisao, Miguel Vitor, Pereira Javi Garcia, Witsel Gaitan, Rodrigo, Nolito Cardozo | ZENIT  Malafeev Anyukov, Alves, Hubocan, Criscito Zyryanov, Denisov, Shirokov Faizulin, Kerzhakov, Lazovic |
Benfica's Ezequiel Garay picked up a knee injury during Friday evening's 3-2 defeat versus Porto on domestic duty, and as a result has been ruled out of the contest. He is likely to be replaced in the back four by Miguel Vitor.
Pablo Aimar also sustained a knock in that match, and in any case will serve a one-match ban, meaning his place in the starting line-up is likely to be taken by Rodrigo. He will feature in behind Paraguayan goal-getter Oscar Cardozo.
Better news saw Javi Garcia get through the Porto fixture unscathed after being out of action due to a muscular problem sustained in training, and he is likely to keep his role in the centre of the pitch.
For the visitors, who lead 3-2 from an incident-packed first leg in Russia, recently-returning Andrey Arshavin is ineligible after securing a loan move from Arsenal. Vyacheslav Malafeev recovered to make his first appearance for the club in 2012 in the weekend draw with CSKA Moscow, and will retain his spot in goal.
However, Aleksandr Bukharov hasn't recovered from a hamstring strain and is unlikely to take part, while influential playmaker Danny is ruled out for the rest of the campaign with serious ligament damage.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- On 31 separate occasions, Benfica have been defeated in the first leg of a two-legged
European tie, and have went on to progress to the next round nine times.
- Tuesday's match will be Benfica's 50th Uefa Champions League outing.
- Oscar Cardozo has scored 14 goals in his last 14 appearances for the club.
- Zenit are unbeaten in their last 18 matches in all competitions, stretching back to their matchday one defeat at the hands of APOEL.
- This is the St Petersburg club's 100th match in Uefa competition, and their first-leg win over Benfica was their 50th victory.
- Goalkeeper Malafeev is the current Russian No. 1, and he has yet to concede a goal in his last 606 minutes at international level.
Zenit have already been to Portugal this season and got the result they needed, drawing 0-0 in Porto to escape the group stage, and it would not be surprising to see Luciano Spalletti's side complete a famous double to progress to the quarter-finals.
Editor's Prediction
Benfica 1-1 Zenit 
