RB Leipzig come into this fixture off the back of a 1-1 draw with unbeaten Wolfsburg as they participate in a thrilling Bundesliga title race.
Meanwhile, Zenit St Petersburg are embroiled in a fierce title race of their own in Russia, behind league leaders Lokomotiv Moscow on head-to-head despite their superior goal difference.
Match Preview
© Reuters
Leipzig are fifth in the Bundesliga, but just one point separates them from league leaders Borussia Monchengladbach after eight games.
In fact, there are just two points between Gladbach and Bayer Leverkusen in ninth as Germany witnesses an early flurry of teams in the mix for the title.
Leipzig's involvement in this league battle is perhaps proving something of a distraction to their Champions League campaign, having lost 2-0 at home to a Lyon side struggling for form in Ligue 1.
The German outfit started with a bang, going unbeaten in all competitions until the back end of September. Since then, they have failed to win any of their last four competitive outings, losing twice.
Things are pretty tight at the top of the Russian Premier League table too, with just three points between the top five teams.
However, Zenit have fared slightly better in Europe than Leipzig despite their domestic distractions, picking up four points to the German side's three and sitting top of the group by virtue of goals scored.
The Russian outfit have done well at this stage of the competition in recent seasons, winning seven of their last 10 such matches, losing two and drawing the other.
Much of their success of late has been down to the form of towering striker Artem Dzyuba, who has either scored or assisted in all eight of his Champions League group stage matches for Zenit, scoring seven goals and assisting three.
Leipzig form: WWLLDD
Zenit form: WWLWWW
Team News
© Reuters
Leipzig head coach Julian Nagelsmann is without three key players due to injury as his side host Zenit on Wednesday.
Centre-back Ibrahima Konate is out with a muscle problem suffered in the defeat against Lyon, attacking midfielder Hannes Wolf is sidelined with a fractured leg and fellow summer signing Patrik Schick has suffered with ankle problems since joining on loan from Roma.
However, Leipzig are not the only team to be frustrated by the absence of a new signing.
Zenit boss Sergei Semak is unable to select Brazilian winger Malcom, who joined from Barcelona, due to a hip injury that could keep him out until Christmas.
The forward joins exciting centre-back Emanuel Mammana - a long term absentee with a serious knee injury - on the sidelines.
Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Klostermann, Upamecano, Orban, Halstenberg; Sabitzer, Laimer, Demme, Forsberg; Poulsen, Werner
Zenit possible starting lineup:
Kerzhakov; Karavayev, Ivanovic, Rakitskiy, Santos; Shatov, Ozdoyev, Barrios, Driussi; Dzyuba, Azmoun
We say: Leipzig 1-0 Zenit
Leipzig boasted the best defence in Germany last season and are a solid outfit at the back. Despite their recent struggles for form, they have enough quality throughout the side to make their home advantage count this time and earn an important, if narrow, win.
