Zenit vs RB Leipzig LIVE: Result and latest reaction from Champions League clash in Russia

Follow all the latest from a key meeting at the top of Group G

Champions League group stage draw

RB Leipzig travel to Russia to take on Zenit St Petersburg in what is a crucial meeting at the top of Group G in the Champions League.

Leipzig are flying high in the Bundesliga's top four and are sitting pretty on top of the group after earning a crucial win over Zenit in their last meeting in Germany.

Zenit can hardly afford a defeat with Lyon and Benfica both in the hunt in what is one of the most competitive groups in the entire competition. Follow all the latest updates below:

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

[5 November 2019 16:57 · Kishan Vaghela]

Hello and welcome to The Independent's coverage of RB Leipzig vs Zenit St Petersburg, as the race to qualify for the knockout stages in Group G hots up. Here is how the group looks ahead of tonight's matches:

RB Leipzig 6 pts 0 gd

Zenit St Petersburg 4pts 1gd

Lyon 4pts 1gd

Benfica 3pts -2gd

[5 November 2019 17:00 · Kishan Vaghela]

Here are the XIs for the early kick-off in St Petersburg, and there is only a place on the bench for Timo Werner as a precuation:

RB LEIPZIG: Gulácsi; Klostermann, Upamecano, Mukiele, Halstenberg; Laimer, Nkunku, Demme, Sabitzer; Poulsen, Forsberg.

ZENIT: Kerzhakov; Smolnikov, Ivanovic, Rakitskiy, Douglas Santos; Ozdoev, Osorio, Barrios, Erokhin; Azmoun, Dzyuba

[5 November 2019 17:06 · Kishan Vaghela]

RB Leipzig have had an entertaining week, to say the least.

Two victories, 14 (yes FOURTEEN goals) scored and the sense that RB Leipzig are really starting to tick in domestic games.

The challenge remains for them to replicate it in St Petersburg to give them some daylight in the group, and the key to doing that could  be Timo Werner.

The German has scored five times in the last two games as his side beat Wolfsburg 6-1 in the Pokal and then hammered Mainz 8-0 at the weekend.

But he is on the bench this evening with a muscle problem.

[5 November 2019 17:15 · Kishan Vaghela]

Formidable form then from Leipzig, but what about Zenit?

Well, their draw at home to CSKA Moscow at the weekend saw them extend their lead at the top of the Russian Premier League to three points.

It was a result that Sergei Semak however would have been disappointed with given that his side were facing 10 men for the majority of the second half.

But slow and steady usually wins the race, no?

[5 November 2019 17:18 · Kishan Vaghela]

This should give you an idea just how well Timo Werner has been doing in Germany... and what his side will miss from the start tonight.

[5 November 2019 17:23 · Kishan Vaghela]

It may be a group that lacks a real star name in it, but Group G is turning out to be one of the more fascinating groups in the Champions League this season.

Benfica have lost two of their three games in Europe this season and sit bottom of the group, but remain only three points behind Julian Nagelsmann's men.

A group that every one of Leipzig, Lyon, Zenit and Benfica would have fancied when the draw was made, it is one that is still wide as we head into matchday four. 

[5 November 2019 17:30 · Kishan Vaghela]

The stage is set.

[5 November 2019 17:34 · Kishan Vaghela]

The reverse fixture of this one took place on matchday three, and it was the Bundesliga outfit that eventually came out on top.

Yaroslav Rakitsky gave the Russian side the lead but second-half goals from Konrad Laimer and a belter from Marcel Sabitzer helped Leipzig turn it around

[5 November 2019 17:42 · Kishan Vaghela]

He may not be starting this evening, but the Werner stats keep coming

[5 November 2019 17:50 · Kishan Vaghela]

All set for the action to begin in St Petersburg.

It is one Zenit cannot afford to lose...