Zenit St Petersburg v AC Milan: Russians to edge it

Hulk is off the mark for Zenit and will be key to victory here
Both teams will be desperate for the points after bad opening results but home advantage should tell...
Zenit St Petersburg v AC Milan, Wednesday 17:00, Sky Sports 2, Match Odds: Zenit St Petersburg 2.26/5, AC Milan 3.7511/4, The Draw 3.55/2
Neither of these side's domestic seasons have hit the heights to date, something which was carried over into matchday one of this competition.
For all the wealth Zenit possess, they currently lie a lowly seventh in the Russian Premier League, five points off the pace being set by Guus Hiddink's Anzhi Makhachkala.
There has been talk of an unsettling effect created by the big-money signings of Axel Witsel and Brazilian striker Hulk., with some players, including captain Igor Denisov, alleged to be upset by the disparity in wages offered to the new boys.
The facts are Zenit haven't won a league or Champions League game since the duo's arrival and they need to quickly repair the damage if they are to get their Champions League campaign back on track.
On a slightly more positive note, Hulk did get off the mark away at Kryliya Sovetov and scored another in the cup, while since their opening day defeat to Malaga in Group C, they have steadied things somewhat with successive league draws.
European titans AC Milan are themselves enduring one of the worst starts to a Serie A campaign in recent years and are currently languishing in 11th place with just two wins from six games.
The Rossoneri recorded a disappointing 0-0 home draw with Anderlecht in their opener and since losing their talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic have really struggled for goals.
As Opta tell us, it's likely to be Zenit's home form which makes the difference here because Zenit have won ten and lost none of the last 13 home games in European competition.
As well as Zenit's formidable European home record, Milan have quite clearly struggled away on the continent in recent times. Opta inform us that they have won just one of their last 11 Champions League matches away from the San Siro, drawing six and losing four.
Over/Under 2.5 goals
Without Stephan El Shaarawy of late, Milan simply wouldn't have troubled the score sheet, the precocious young Italian international has bagged all four of his club's goals in their last five matches.
Only one of Milan's last five games have managed to creep over the 2.5 goals mark as a result of their limited threat. Zenit themselves have only managed three goals in their last four too if you exclude their domestic cup clash, so the margin of victory is likely to be narrow.
Best Bet: Back Zenit St Petersburg to beat AC Milan @ 2.26/5
Other Recommended Bet: Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.84/5