FC Krasnodar are hoping to reach the knockout stages of the Europa League for the first time with a win over Borussia Dortmund.
However, the Bundesliga giants have yet to secure top spot in Group C and a surprise defeat at the weekend leaves the club with a point to prove against the Russian side.
FC Krasnodar
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For the Russian Premier League outfit the task is simple - a win will see them through to the last 32 of the Europa League.
Even a draw could be good enough for Oleg Kononov's men, if PAOK fail to beat Azerbaijani team Qabala.
However, it would be no fluke if Krasnodar reach the knockout phase, having been edged out by Everton and Wolfsburg at the same stage last season.
Indeed, the Bulls had led in Dortmund earlier in this campaign and looked set for a point until Park Joo-Ho scored deep into stoppage time to give Borussia victory.
Since that defeat on matchday one, Krasnodar have remained unbeaten and victory over PAOK has left the Black-Greens on the verge of qualification.
Their defence has played a key part in keeping them in contention, conceding only three times, while Krasnodar have scored three more than both PAOK and Qabala.
However, they prepared for this game by losing 3-2 against domestic rivals Spartak Moscow at the weekend.
Recent form: LWDW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWL
Borussia Dortmund
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Thomas Tuchel was brutal in his assessment of Borussia's 3-1 defeat at the hands of SV Hamburger, saying that such a performance will mean his side "won't win anything anywhere".
It is plain to see why Tuchel was upset with the result and the display, given that Dortmund lost further ground on title rivals Bayern Munich.
Nevertheless, that loss was only Die Borussen's second defeat of the season in all competitions, with the first being the infamous 5-1 reverse at the hands of Pep Guardiola's men in Der Klassiker.
The Black and Yellows have also scored only four fewer than their Bavarian counterparts in the Bundesliga and are the joint third highest scorers in the group phase of the Europa League so far.
Dortmund's potency in front of goal may be down in some part to the work of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but the Congolese forward has since caught the eye of some of the continent's biggest teams and could yet leave the club as early as January, if reports are to be believed.
However, BVB also boast one of the best defences in the Europa League. Indeed, only Napoli have conceded fewer than Tuchel's men in this season's competition.
Recent form: WWWDWW
Recent form (all competitions): LWWWWL
Team News
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Marco Reus returned from injury for Borussia last weekend against Hamburg and should be available for selection on Thursday evening.
Nuri Sahin is definitely out with a groin injury, while Erik Durm is a doubt for the game in Russia.
Dortmund might also opt to recall Neven Subotic to the starting lineup, with either Mats Hummels or Sokratis Papastathopoulos possibly making way.
Meanwhile, Krasnodar are likely to feature Brazilian duo Ari and Joaozinho, both of whom scored against PAOK last time out.
FC Krasnodar possible starting lineup:
Dykan, Granqvist, Kaleshin, Sigurdsson, Torbinski, Akhmedov, Laborde, Joaozinho, Kabore, Petrov, Ari
Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Burki; Ginter, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Gundogan, Weigl; Reus, Kagawa, Mkhitaryan; Aubameyang
Head To Head
As mentioned, in the only previous meeting between the teams, Joo-ho's 92nd-minute winner saw Die Borussen win 2-1 at the Westfalenstadion.
Krasnodar's first encounter against German opposition came in last season's group stages when they lost 4-2 and 5-1 to Wolfsburg.
Borussia's record against Russian sides is far better, with BVB winning all of their previous matches against clubs from the former Soviet state.
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We say: Krasnodar 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
With Dortmund having already qualified, Krasnodar might not have a better chance of beating Borussia and reaching the last 32. However, BVB are the top scorers in the group and could be looking to prove a point after their weekend defeat.
Chris O'Keefe
