Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Zenit Petersburg
Match Time & Date:
25/10/2018
12:55 PM
Prediction: 1-0
Bordeaux
All eyes will be on Saint-Petersburg Stadium when Zenit and Bordeaux face each other in the Group C derby. After sharing the spoils with Copenhagen in their opener, Zenit did well to record a hard-fought 1-0 win over Slavia Prague in their second group game, with the team regaining a much-needed confidence. The Zenitchiki aim to retain top position in Group and we predict that they will go all guns blazing at Bordeaux in Thursday’s football match. The Russian side are a real force to be reckoned with at home, but this game will be anything but a walk in the park for the hosts. Les Girondins aim to make amends for back-to-back losses to the likes of Slavia Prague and Copenhagen, but seeing that they travel to Russia with the lack of confidence, we are tempted to put our money on Sergei Semak’s men this time out.
Highlighted Player (Branislav Ivanovic):
Over the years Branislav Ivanovic has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world football. Bane plays as a centre back, but he is capable of playing as a full back as well. The Serbian defender has been playing for Chelsea since 2008 and he used to play for the likes of Srem, OFK Beograd and Lokomotiv Moscow in the past as well.
Ivanovic leaves his heart on the field in every single match and that is the main reason why the fans love him. He is known for his aerial ability as well and it has to be noted that he has scored 22 goals for Chelsea since arriving to Stamford Bridge in 2008.
The Serbian footballer has won two Premier League trophies with the Blues, but the Champions League trophy won in 2012 is considered the biggest success of his career. Branislav is married to Natasa, who gave birth to his four children.
Highlighted Team (Bordeaux):
Founded in 1881, Bordeaux are regarded as one of the oldest clubs in France. Les Girondins won their first Ligue 1 trophy in 1950 and 59 years later (2008/2009) they lifted their sixth domestic trophy.
Speaking of the club’s European success, Bordeaux did remarkably well to make it to the Champions League semi-finals in 1985, but despite recording a 2-0 win over star-studded Juventus in the return leg, the French club eventually failed to book their place in the final of the elite competition.
Famous French footballers Alain Giresse and Jean Tigana were part of the team back then and it has to be noted that Giresse is the player who made the most appearances for les Girondins (587). During the nineties Zinedine Zidane, Christophe Dugarry and Bixente Lizarazu played for Bordeaux and, taking everything into account, it is no surprise they are considered one of the most famous French clubs.
Nowadays Les Girondins welcome their rivals at Matmut Atlantique, the stadium which was opened in 2015 and they used to play at Stade Chaban-Delmas in the past.
Leipzig
Wolfsburg
Barcelona
Sevilla
Crystal Palace
Manchester United
Parma
Inter
