Preview: Swansea City vs. Kuban Krasnodar

Swansea City's meeting with Kuban Krasnodar at the Liberty Stadium in the Europa League on Thursday night will mark a series of firsts.

The Swans have never faced a Russian club, while Kuban, competing in European competition for the first time, have never come up against a side from British shores.

What's more, no Russian side have won on a trip to a Premier League outfit since Zenit St Petersburg overcome Bradford City back in 2000 - a run that stretches back 19 matches.

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup has named a strong starting lineup during his side's previous two games in the competition (they won both) and the Dane is expected to do the same again for the visit of Krasnodar.

Jonjo Shelvey could start in the midfield, while full-back Dwight Tiendalli is expected to come into the team at right-back.

There is also likely to be a familiar face within the Krasnodar lineup in the form of Djibril Cisse. The 32-year-old, who has previously played for Liverpool and Queens Park Rangers among others, joined the Cossacks during the summer.

Krasnodar will make the trip to Wales having lost their first two matches.

Recent form

Swansea: WLLWLW

Krasnodar: LWLLDL

Possible starting lineups

Swansea: Vorm; Tiendalli, Chico, Amat, Davies; Canas, Britton, Shelvey, Routledge; Michu, Bony

Krasnodar: Belenov; Kozlov, Fidler, Dealbert, Xandao; Melgarejo, Tlisov, Popov, Khubulov, Bueno; Cisse

Sports Mole says: 3-1