Zenit vs Auxerre
Uefa Champions League Play-Off, 20h45
Auxerre managed to take 3rd place in Le Championnat at the photo-finish against Lille. That was a big feat for the team that has a history in the 90's Uefa Cup, but since then have been quite mediocre in the domestic league, finishing each season mostly just above the relegation zone. Coach Jean Fernandez did not make significant changes to last season's squad. Auxerre started the season with two draws.
Zenit are half-way across the Russian league, leading the tables and still being undefeated in 16 games. In the previous round of the UCL they defeated Unirea Urziceni, 1-0 on aggregate. The financial status of the home side is so very powerful, that they've recently added Bruno Alves to their squad. Coach Luciano Spaletti can count on a string of quality players like Bystrov, Anyukov, Malafeev, Rosina and Danny.
I tip Zenit to win this game, at 6/11.