Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Zenit St Petersburg v Benfica, set to kick off at 5pm UK time but subject to a late pitch inspection due to the freezing weather in Russia.

Hubocan gives away a free-kick around 30 yards out. Cesar over it..

The first half is underway - remember, the Russian season is in recess because of the winter. Normally it ends in November but, as Russia moves its league season to the regular European dates, they have an 18-monther this time out.

A slight delay in kick off, only a minute or two.

It's young Zenit striker Kanunnikov's Champions League debut, by the way.

The match is going ahead, by the way. Whoop to that.

Today's referee is Jonas Eriksson (Sweden); the subs are in by the way, scroll back to the comment at 16:30 for updated team list.

@LukWhosStaying: "Regarding Zenit-Benfica, is it odd that Benfica are playing w/out a recognized c. mid, other than the PLAYMAKER witsel?" - I answered that on Twitter, so engage in the chit-chat for this match and Milan-Arsenal if you like.

MATCH ODDS: Zenit 6/4, Benfica 19/10, Draw 9/4.

Shame that Danny's out for Zenit - he has created more chances for team mates than any other player in the Champions League this season (21); Benfica's Nicolas Gaitan, meanwhile, has more assists than anyone else this season (5).

FACT: Benfica have lost just one of eight European matches against Russian opposition; None of the six knockout matches involving Benfica in the Champions League era have produced more than two goals.

FACT: Zenit have lost just two of their last 30 home games in European competition, excluding qualifiers; Their draw against APOEL on Matchday 5 ended a run of nine straight home wins for the Russian side in European competition.

Jorge Jesus: "We've experience of playing in the Europa League and the Champions League and now have a very important match in the knockout stage. With all due respect to Zenit, we want to reach the next round. It is clear the tie will be decided over two matches but our aim is the same - to win."

Luciano Spalletti: "Maybe it will be cold, but it won't be for those who are on the field. In football you can play in any weather and a real winner, a strong player, should be able to adapt to any situation. When there are problems with the pitch, the advantage is with the more skilful team, because it is necessary to use more technique."

Benfica's holding midfielder Javi Garcia is out due to injury but Uruguayan defender Maxi Pereira is available once again.

So for Zenit, Russia keeper Malafeev does not make the team after struggling in training; Roman Shirokov is fit, however. Portuguese winger Danny is out with a long-term knee injury, while Italian defender Domenico Criscito is out, as are strikers Danko Lazovic and Alexander Bukharov.

TEAMS - Zenit St Petersburg: Zhevnov, Aniukov, Bruno Alves, Lombaerts, Hubocan, Denisov, Zyryanov, Shirokov, Kanunnikov, Kerzhakov, Faitzulin; Subs: Borodin, Rosina, Huszti, Lukovic, Semak, Bystrov, Cheminava /// Benfica: Artur Moraes, Maxi Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Emerson, Matic, Witsel, Gaitan, Cardozo, Bruno Cesar, Rodrigo Moreno; Subs: Eduardo, Nolito, Aimar, Nelson Oliveira, Miguel Vitor, Saviola, Jardel

Speaking of me, and Twitter, you can get in touch about this game or Milan-Arsenal later by tweeting me @Reda_Eurosport.

My colleague in Russia has spoken to Zenit officials and, while nothing is official, they assured him the match would go ahead on time as the pitch is playable.

Regarding the pitch, no official news yet but Zenit have kindly published a pic of their ground on Twitter - looks 'decent', but obviously we have no idea how firm it is.

FACT: Benfica were one of only three unbeaten teams in this season's Champions League Group Stage, alongside Spain's giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

FACT: Zenit St Petersburg are the first Russian club from a city other than Moscow to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League.