Benfica vs Zenit preview: Axel Witsel out to impress against former club in Champions League tie

A look ahead to the Champions League fixture at the Estadio da Luz

Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Axel Witsel: After arriving in Lisbon for €7.5m in July 2011, he spent just 14 months at Benfica before making a €40m move to Zenit.

As Zenit seek to reach the Champions League quarter finals for the first time, his presence in their midfield will be key stopping Benfica’s free-flowing attack.

However he will need to prove his fitness as Zenit are currently in the middle of their winter break and haven’t played since December 9.

Best stat…

Benfica are in the middle of their best attacking season since 1976 with 60 goals in 22 games.

Remember when…

Serguei Semak scored with a back-heeled flick to put Zenit into a 2-1 lead in the last-16 knockout tie.

In the build-up to the goal Alexander Kerzhakov also pulled off a back-heel to feed Vladimir Bystrov who assisted Semak.

Player to watch…

Kostas Mitroglou: The former Fulham striker may not have lived up to his £11m price-tag when he headed to West London in 2014 but he has been proving his worth for Benfica of late.

The loan signing has scored in each of Benfica’s last six games including a hat-trick in the 5-0 win at Belenenses.

Past three-meetings

Zenit 1 (Danny) Benfica 0
Champions League, November 2014

Benfica 0 Zenit 2 (Hulk, Witsel)
Champions League, September 2014

Benfica 2 (Pereira, Oliveira) Zenit 0
Champions League, March 2012

Form guide…

Benfica: WWWWWL

Zenit: LWWLDL

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 7.45pm

TV: BT Sport 2