With Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco also in their group, both Benfica and Zenit will be keen to start the Champions League campaign on a bright note.

Both sides have been pretty impressive on domestic stage so far, so chances are we will see a highly entertaining encounter at Estadio da Luz.

Following several very difficult years when they struggled to come out of FC Porto’s shade, Benfica have been making giant strides on all fronts of late.

While impressing in the Champions League as well, the Eagles made it to the Europa League final two times in a row, and they were very unfortunate to lose to both Chelsea and Sevilla.

The squad have undergone some changes this summer after winning the first league title in four years, with Cardozo, Oblak, Markovic, Rodrigo, Garay and Andre Gomes leaving, but some decent replacements were signed as well.

Eliseu and Talisca have already nailed down regular starting berths, helping the team pick up ten points from first four league fixtures, but the Zenit clash will be the first real test for Jorge Jesus’ side.

However, with Benfica winning four of last five Champions League fixtures at home, they have been made 2.05 (21/20) favourites to claim maximum points.

Silvio and Andre Almeida miss out through injury and suspension respectively, while Julio Cesar remains doubtful through a thigh problem. New signing Jonas is ineligible.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Artur – Pereira, Luisao, Jardel, Eliseu – Perez, Samaris – Salvio, Talisca, Gaitan – Lima.

It took Zenit quite a while to start playing to their potential, and it appears it was Andre Villas-Boas who finally got the players to perform up to the standard.

The Russian giants have been absolutely amazing this term, winning 10 of 11 fixtures and completely outclassing AEL Limassol in the only defeat so far.

As a result, Zenit already created a six-point cushion at the top of the Russian Premier League standings, while they eased off to the Champions League group stages.

And with the team on a ten-match winning run, you should know the Russians are 4.33 (10/3) to win at Estadio da Luz.

Viktor Fayzulin misses out through suspension, but Hulk and Ezequiel Garay should start after recovering from injury.

Zenit have reason for optimism ahead of the trip to Portugal, having won six of last nine Champions League matches on the travels.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lodygin – Smolnikov, Garay, Lombaerts, Criscito – Garcia, Witsel – Hulk, Danny, Shatov – Rondon.