Lucky 13 for Zenit

May 4 2008

ZENIT'S UEFA Cup hopes have been given a massive boost after all three of their league games before the final were postponed.

It means Dick Advocaat's Russian champions will have had 13 days' rest to focus on the showpiece.

The games include one scheduled for today against CSKA Moscow, Wednesday's match against Lokomotiv and the nine-hour trip to Russia's Far East against Luch on Sunday.

A statement from the Russian Football Union said: "We have moved the game between Zenit St Petersburg and CSKA from May 4 to July 30 due to the UEFA Cup Final on May14."

Zenit's website confirmed the news and indicated their game the weekend after the final might also be switched.

It said: "The next four Premier League matches have been postponed. We thank the Russian Premier League for their cooperation."

Rangers, by contrast, will squeeze in three SPL games before facing Zenit.