Shaken by the derby defeat to FC Porto, Benfica need to recover quickly and produce a quality performance if they want to keep their qualifying hopes alive.

Zenit were relentless in the group stage, but it remains to be seen whether the winter break will have left a negative effect on Andre Villas-Boas’ side.

The Bela Guttman curse continues as Benfica have yet to lift a European trophy after winning the 1962 European Cup, with the Eagles losing eight major finals since.

And while they cannot be expected to mount a serious title challenge in this year’s Champions League, the Estadio da Luz outfit will want to at least get past the first knockout stage.

Just a week ago it looked as though the Eagles would be heading into the Zenit clash high on confidence after winning 11 straight games, but the home loss to FC Porto changed everything.

Benfica now need to give their best to forget the derby defeat and rediscover their form in Tuesday’s encounter, but that is not going to be an easy task.

Coach Rui Vitoria hopes to welcome back central defender Lisandro Lopez from a thigh problem, as his replacement Victor Lindelof was far from impressive in the Porto game.

And with captain Luisao also sidelined, the hosts could find it hard to prevent Zenit from scoring at their Estadio da Luz.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Cesar – Almeida, Jardel, Lopez, Eliseu – Sanches, Samaris – Pizzi, Jonas, Gaitan – Mitroglou.

The Champions League first knockout stage always comes at a bad time for Zenit as they usually have at least two or three weeks before the league campaign resumes.

But, with the team having done so well in the group phase this term, the Russian giants will fancy their chances of defeating Benfica at Estadio da Luz.

Zenit impressed to win first five group games before losing dead rubber against KAA Gent, with Andre Villas-Boas finally getting his side to perform to their potential in Europe.

The Russians defeated Benfica 2-0 on their previous visit to Estadio da Luz and having also beaten Lyon and Valencia on the road this term, they look a good bet at 4.00 (3/1).

Full-back Igor Smolnikov has resumed light training, but the Benfica game comes too soon for him, meaning that Alexander Anyukov will continue to deputize.

Vyacheslav Malafeev, Viktor Fayzulin and Alexander Ryanzantsev are out injured, while new signings Yuri Zhirkov and Aleksandr Kokorin are in contention.

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