Villarreal vs Zenit St Petersburg Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 11/03/2019, 18:20  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 11/03/2019 at 19:20 in Europa League Predictions

It's been a big week for Villarreal both in their domestic league and European competition. Thursday saw them travel to Zenit St Petersburg for the first leg of this Europa League last 16 tie and come away with a 3-1 win. After taking a first-half lead, the home side equalized just two minutes later. It was still level with 26 minutes to go but two more Spanish goals gave them a commanding 3-1 victory. The weekend saw them win 2-0 at Levante to move out of the bottom three in La Liga. They may have struggled in La Liga this season with only five wins but their European form has been better. Villarreal are yet to lose in the Europa League this season with four wins and five draws. They have won two and drawn two at home with two clean sheets in their last three home matches and eight goals scored.

Zenit St Petersburg are five points clear at the top of the Russian Premier League. Two of their last four league games have ended in defeat and four of ther last six away league matches have been lost. Their away record in the Europa League is fairly appalling with no wins in their last eight games. Six of those games have been lost including four this season. They trail by two goals coming into this second leg and the bad news for them is they haven't scored twice in an away Europa League gam in their last eight games. Go for Villarreal to finish the tie off with a home win.