Good afternoon everyone and welcome to our live coverage as Zenit St Petersburg take on AS Monaco at the Petrovsky Stadium in Group C of the Champions League. Both sides have got off to winning starts in the tournament, potentially meaning that this game could go someway towards deciding who leaves the group as winners.

Matchday one proved to be an enterprising encounter for both sides, with Zenit claiming victory over Benfica, while Monaco edged past Bayer Leverkusen at home.

Home side Zenit are waiting on news as to whether coach Andre Villas-Boas will be able to call on commanding centre-back Ezequiel Garay. Other concerns currently swirl over the fitness of striker Hulk.

Key midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk is likely to miss this fixture for the Russian side as he is still recovering from an abductor injury, but they will be able to recall Viktor Fayzulin who returns to the squad following suspension.

Monaco are to be without Lacina Traore and Borja Lopez, who are yet to feature this season because of hamstring and knee issues. Tunisia defender Aymen Abdennour is still suffering from a thigh problem.

Zenit could be considered favourites for tonight's clash. Not only have Monaco started poorly in their pursuit of Ligue 1 glory, but of three French clubs to have visited Petrovsky Stadium, none have managed to come away with three points against Zenit.

The last time Monaco faced a Russian outfit was in 2004 on their way to the Champions League final. That fixture saw them draw 2-2 with Lokomotiv Moscow, as they progressed through to the semi-finals on away goals.

Financial Fair Play rules seem to have put the dampeners on Monaco this season. However, they have managed to retain the services of midfielder Joao Moutinho and he could be influential away from home tonight. The outcome of this fixture could be decided between the Monaco man and Zenit anchor Axel Witsel battling it out in the centre of the pitch.

Here's a photo taken a little earlier today as Zenit prepare for the upcoming match:

Petrovsky's ready. Are you? @UEFAcom @ChampionsLeague #ZenitMonaco game time in just over an hour. pic.twitter.com/KB3YbyOfNm — FC Zenit in English (@fczenit_en) October 1, 2014

Team news on its way now...

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG STARTING XI: Lodygin; Anyukov, Lombaerts, Garay, Criscito, Shatov, Fayzulin, Javi Garcia, Danny, Hulk, Rondon

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG SUBSTITUTES: Malafeev, Neto, Smolnikov, Mogilevets, Tymoshchuk, Arshavin, Kerzhakov

AS MONACO STARTING XI: Subasic; Fabinho, Carvalho, Raggi, Kurzawa, Toulalan, Moutinho, Kondogbia, Ocampos, Berbatov, Dirar

AS MONACO SUBSTITUTES: Stekelenburg, Wallace, Elderson, Bakayoko, Ferreira Carrasco, Silva, Germain

Villas-Boas has been handed a major boost, then. Garay makes the starting XI, as does the influential Hulk in attack. The hosts will also feature Salomon Rondon up top, while former Manchester City midfielder Javi Garcia will occupy the centre of the park.

Travelling Monaco have obviously looked at the situation tonight and thought it wise to play with numbers in midfield. Leonardo Jardim has opted for a 4-5-1 formation, which features the combative natures of Jeremy Toulalan, Moutinho, Nabil Dirar, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Lucas Ocampos in the middle. The French side have enlisted Dimitar Berbatov to lead the line in attack, but he'll surely know there will be plenty of defensive work required tonight too.

AVB has been speaking ahead of tonight's clash, with the Zenit coaching talking up the qualities of his opponents tonight:

"I have always had a very good relationship with Jardim. We have had to adapt to new teams and are faced with similar challenges. Yesterday we talked on the phone; it was a nice, friendly conversation. Monaco's experience could play a big part. They have a lot of good players, such as Carvalho, Moutinho and Berbatov, who have played in European competition."

Meanwhile, Jardim has been quick to highlight that he believes that his side have a chance if they're able to weather the Zenit attacking storm:

"The weather conditions are great for this match – not too cold and not too hot. I have watched Zenit and studied the team. I know their players who played in Portugal. They are a powerful team who play attacking football. They will stick to their guns, but you cannot attack for a whole match, so we have a chance."

This evening's hosts hold a rather remarkable record in Europe, with Zenit only losing four of their 49 European home games – having won 30 of them.

This surely makes the task of a Monaco victory even more difficult for the visitors, with AS having just returned to the Champions League after spending nine years out in the cold.

We're just over five minutes away from kickoff at the Petrovsky Stadium in Russia. Time for a prediction from me then! I fancy the hosts to snatch this one, they've got a lot more firepower in their side and they're playing on pretty hardened home soil. I'm going for a 2-1 home victory.

Things seem very heated in Russia as the fans prepare for the start of the game, you can already feel the heat from the Russian crowd. Tonight's fixture is to be overseen by referee Mark Clattenburg.

KICKOFF! Zenit get us underway here, kicking from left to right on matchday two. The ball is lumped forward and ends up out of touch for a Monaco throw.

Songs are already ringing out around the Petrovsky Stadium, things are already a little tense for the travelling Monaco, who are taking their time on the ball as they look to settle into possession.

SAVE! Fantastic stop from Lodygin to deny Monaco from going in front early on. They break forward following some nice passing from Toulalan in the middle, with the ball fed out wide to Kurzawa. The left-back does brilliantly to get in behind the full-back before pulling a pass back to Berbatov, whose first-time shot is saved smartly by the Zenit stopper.

CLOSE! A good start from Monaco this evening and it's Dirar this time, who takes a speculative pot shot on the volley from deep – it looks to have a scrambling Lodygin beaten, but evades the crossbar by a few inches.

Zenit have started rather sluggishly and are making Monaco look worlds apart. Perhaps they are in these early minutes? The visitors are ticking the ball over nicely in centre and the Russians are second to every ball at the moment.

CLOSE! Zenit need to get and grip and quickly. Ocampos is left totally unmarked to rise at the near post and crunch a header just wide of the target from a free kick. No sign of any marking at all!

This is proving to be a really exciting game already. Zenit seek out a reply to the early Monaco dominance as Danny drives inside at the defence as he bids to pick out a shot with his right. He keeps coming and coming until the gap opens up, but his effort is a wild one which flies high and wide of goal.

The hosts are enjoying a little more possession now as they feed the ball across the middle of the park. Hulk is livid though after his teammates fail to pick him out in acres of space on the left.

Rondon thwarts a nice move from Zenit as he gets in the way of a crafted through ball sought out by Garcia. His teammates aren't looking to impressed around him.

Monaco are allowed a little bit of time to breathe following some Zenit dominance. The visitors play it around at the back before feeding the ball into Bebrbatov, but Lodygin is out of his goal quickly to thwart the danger.

The pace has settled after an explosive couple of minutes which saw Monaco have two decent chances. Monaco are looking comfortable on the ball, with Moutinho looking to set the tempo in the centre. He's been at the heart of everything so far for AS.

The crowd has seemingly quietened down a little too, possibly an indication that Jardim might be the happier of the two coaches so far?

Bit of a disappointment from Moutinho this time as he seeks to send in a free kick from 40-odd yards. However, the ball is far too deep and a foul is also awarded for a push on a Zenit defender, probably sparing the midfielder's blushes.

Villas-Boas is unlikely to be impressed with this start. His team is playing at a walking pace – like something off a training ground – before Hulk tries to inject some speed with a sprightly run forward, but his cross into Rondon hits and defender a loops safely into the arms of the keeper.

Hulk is up in arms now as he loses possession and tries to claim for a throw down in the corner. Monaco give up possession from their own throw and Rondon is almost played in behind the defence, leaving Carvalho to make a timely interception.

CLOSE! Great chance for the hosts to grab the lead. The ball is fired into the box and makes its way through a body of players. Rondon is in the throng and swings a boot, he finds nothing but air, while Hulk decides not to gamble on the last defender and the ball bounces through for a goal kick.

Where's the quality we saw in those early moments? It seems like both sides might be happy to settle for a point already. Lots of niggling fouls in the last 10 minutes, which have taken all the pace out of the encounter.

CLOSE! And just as I say that, Zenit show a bit of class to create a decent chance. A nice piece of skill sees Anyukov released in behind the defence on the right wing, but his cross in towards Rondon is deflected easily into the path of a thankful Subasic.

YELLOW CARD! A period of scrappy play from both sides results in a yellow card for Monaco's Toulalan after he arrives late on Faizulin in the middle.

Another foul and this time it seems a little careless from Carvalho, who attacks a corner delivered into the Zenit box, however he's all over Lombaerts and the referee has no problem in blowing his whistle.

Zenit break down at the other end of the pitch, but Rondon perhaps shows his frustration with a wild lash towards goal from distance. It doesn't clear Raggi who makes the block first time.

SAVE! Monaco are nearly in front, with Ocampos drawing a save from Lodygin – who is surely just playing for the cameras? Kurzawa crosses decently, but his effort is cleared to Ocampos on the edge of the box. He takes one touch and then fires towards goal, leaving the keeper to rise majestically and palm over the crossbar.

One minute of additional time in the first half at the Petrovsky Stadium...

Hmm, that wasn't what I'd expected after a rather intriguing opening gambit. This fixture has faded into a rusty spectacle, with both sides arguably playing like they're on the training pitch. Hopefully the coaches can have a word or two during the interval and inspire something different after the break.

Monaco will be the more pleased of the two teams and they've perhaps brought all the glimmers of brightness to the game. They started brilliantly and could have gone ahead twice, with Zenit looking lacklustre throughout. Hulk has been the only player of note for the hosts, who has looked desperate to try and inject some pace and industry into his team.

Zenit have't mustered one attempt on target yet, while Monaco have managed two. The possessional statistics show both teams are equal, but Monaco have certainly been the more enterprising of the two sides.

This game has three points written all over it if one team is willing to step up a level in the next 45 minutes. The hosts haven't done anything to show they're worthy of a win, but they have the class to change that in an instant.

Villas-Boas does have options on the bench too, with both Alexander Kerzhakov and Tymoschuk potentially in the offing. They also have the creativity of Andrey Arshavin.

The players are heading back out onto the pitch in Russia and the second half is just a minute or so away.

KICKOFF! Monaco kick things off in the second half and Ocampos drives forward down the right flank, however the ball is cleared into touch for a throw.

Zenit make progress down the right flank after a spell of possession in midfield. The hosts are denied by some standout defending from Kurzawa who gets back to win a goal kick.

CHANCE! The home side should be one ahead and it's really poor play from Rondon. Zenit close Monaco down high up the pitch and win possession. The ball is fed into Hulk who makes a great run in behind the full-back. He squares to an unmarked Rondon, who fluffs his lines with a miss-kick that trickles safely into the arms of Subasic.

SUBSTITUTION: Berbatov appears to be struggling and he's replaced by Yannick Ferreira Carrasco.

Rondon is at fault again as he misplaces a pass to Hulk. If he had of shown a little more quality the striker would've been in behind the defence. Zenit are starting to hot up in the second half, but things are still missing.

Monaco are relying on scraps and are seemingly off the pace. Ocampos does his best to bustle his way into the box, but the Zenit defence apply just enough pressure to win the ball back.

The hosts have assumed the dominant position in this tie, but if ever a game was crying out for a goal it's this one...

Hulk is at the centre of everything now as he breaks forward with power. He's dispossessed and the ball falls kindly to Monaco. However, they give it away a few seconds later and Hulk is driving at goal again. He drops his shoulder and unleashes a powerful effort, which is blocked well by Carvalho.

Half-chance for the home side as Danny sends in a quick free kick for Rondon, who turns and shoots first time at goal, see the ball flash wide of the post and into the side netting. The referee blows and calls for the kick to be taken again. Too quick, apparently.

CHANCE! Chance of the game and Zenit waste it... Hulk sends in a wicked free kick into the middle of the box, with Lombaerts rising highest to meet the ball. Instead of picking out a corner, he decides to aim straight at the keeper who saves with ease.

SUBSTITUTE: Zenit make a change with Igor Smolnikov replacing attacking midfielder Oleg Shatov. The move sees the hosts revert to a wing-back led tactic with three at the back.

We're heading into the final 20 minutes of the encounter now, can somebody steal this? It's there for the taking at the moment...

St Petersburg look the more likely to take the chance as they send men forwards. Hulk looks to drive at the heart of the defence, but his lack of support means that Monaco eventually win out just short of the penalty area.

POST! Monaco are almost ahead and it's substitute Ferreira-Carrasco who's the creator. He runs down the right and into the box where he's at first dispossessed. However, he wins the scraps and fires a shot across the face of goal, with the help of a deflection seeing it skim the post and away for a corner.

SUBSTITUTE: Aleksandr Kerzhakov is introduced in place of Rondon as Zenit look for all three points.

Russia's all-time leading scorer is nearly in on the action. He's first to a cross and thrashes a devastating shot towards goal, only to see it smash into the face of poor Carvalho who is sent to the floor in a heap.

CLOSE! Zenit come close again, this time as a corner is sent to the back post where Lombaerts is waiting. He can only head softly down low and Subasic has time to gather at his post.

SUBSTITUTE: Monaco replace Ocampos with striker Valere Germain.

YELLOW CARD! Hulk is brought down by Fabinho as he tries to stop his pursuit towards goal.

Peculiar decision from the hosts, with Kerzhakov taking the free kick instead of Hulk, who the distance probably favoured. Anyway, the striker's kick flies straight into the wall and Monaco are let off the hook – not for the first time tonight either.

Six minutes left in the game now and it's still there for the taking for both sides. Zenit have looked more likely to create something, but they've lacked the final touch required to grab the goal.

Nothing of any note over the last two minutes, both these teams are going to need to step up proceedings if they really want to get anywhere in this tournament. Arshavin is introduced for the final few minutes.

CLOSE! Zenit are close to grabbing the winning goal through an enterprising run from Smolnikov who nips in unnoticed at the back post, only for Tavares to put him under enough pressure. It looks like the St Petersburg man might take a boot to the face too, ouch!

SUBSTITUTE: Jardim looks to shore up his midfield as well as what looks to be a point away from home as Moutinho is replaced by Ibrahima Bakayoko.

SHOT! A little desperate from Toulalan as he fires in after a corner is cleared, but the midfielder drags his effort horribly wide.

The referee brings an end to a rather drab second half. Zenit looked the more likely of the sides to create something, but at the end of the day a draw is probably a fair result. Ferreira-Carrasco went close with a post-skimming effort, which was the only chance worth writing home about for the visitors after the break. Both sides might be happy with a point, with each standing on four from two games. They'll both have to play a lot better should they wish to progress in the Champions League, though.