Zenit vs FC Tambov Prediction

Somehow, Tambov’s ten men managed to survive a spirited Khimki showing and emerge 1-0 winners on Tuesday. Can they end their week with successive victories for the first time since last November? It doesn’t look likely. They face a trip to defending champions Zenit, who already have a two-point gap to their closest title rivals – after just three games.

Will it be business as usual for Sergej Semak’s men? Or can a side who narrowly avoided relegation last season spring a surprise this weekend? Read my match preview, for the correct score predictions and best betting tips ahead of this fixture.

Zenit vs Tambov Betting Tips

Sardar Azmoun proved a much-needed matchwinner for Zenit against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday, with a well-taken brace. The 25-year-old now has three league goals this term after also netting in their 2-0 win over Rostov.

He was tied with Artem Dzyuba on 17 domestic strikes in 2019-20, but the Iranian international has an early lead over his Russian strike partner. They combined for the first goal, a vicious volley rifled in from close-range. His second was a clever finish after a well-worked move saw Vyacheslav Karavaev create his second assist of 2020.

This type of friendly competition between two deadly marksmen is precisely what Tambov need to stop – or limit – this weekend. Since a 2-0 win over Spartak Moscow in July last year, Tambov have kept just six clean sheets from a possible 29 games in Russia’s top-flight. It’s unlikely they’ll earn another one here, against last season’s highest goalscorers (65).

Having joined on a free transfer in February, fullback Oleksandr Kaplienko has been one of few consistent sparks for Tambov. He was busy defensively (four clearances, three blocks and tackles, two interceptions) and won their Man of the Match award against Khimki in midweek.

Without suspended centre-back Aleksey Gritsaenko, they’ll need more from their collective unit here.

Zenit vs Tambov Correct Score Predictions

Zenit lead the H2H record 3-0 against Tambov and unfortunately for this weekend’s visitors, that should increase. I’m predicting a hard-fought home win, having had 24 hours less to recover after their midweek excursions.