The forward joined the Russian Premier League side from Porto last off-season and, as a result, is well aware of which of Fabio Capello's men will pose a danger in the friendly at Stamford Bridge.

"I know (Russia's) team quite well because six of their players play with me at Zenit," Hulk told reporters. "They are a very strong team.

"They haven't conceded any goals in their World Cup qualification campaign and I believe it's going to be a great game for us.

"It will be difficult, but we will work on these difficulties and try to win the game."

Hulk, who has won 19 caps, believes Luiz Felipe Scolari's men will not benefit too heavily from the absence of Russia skipper Igor Denisov – a Zenit team-mate – as there is plenty of talent elsewhere in the World Cup 2018 hosts' side.

"(Denisov) is a very important player for Russia, but they have other very good players, so I don't think they will have any problems without him," he said.

"But we have to focus on ourselves and try to do everything Scolari tells us to do."

Russia's preparations for the Brazil clash have been hampered by their World Cup qualifier with Northern Ireland being postponed until a later date due to adverse weather conditions making the pitch unplayable in Belfast.

The World Cup 2014 hosts, on the other hand, head into their latest friendly on the back of a 2-2 draw with Italy.