Rubin Kazan vs Liverpool. UEFA Europa League Group B.
Kazan ArenaAttendance41,585.
Thursday 5 November 2015 18:04, UK
Liverpool face a 2,500 mile to Russia to face Rubin Kazan as they go in search of their first Group B victory in the Europa League.
Jurgen Klopp's side, who sit second in the group just one point ahead of their opponents in Group B, have started their European campaign with three straight draws with the previous meeting between these two sides a fortnight ago - the first time Rubin and Liverpool had met in European competition - ending 1-1.
And they will face an even sterner test when they Valeriy Chaly's side at the brand new Kazan Arena as no English side has ever tasted victory when visiting Kazan.
Tottenham in 2011, Chelsea and Wigan (both 2013) have all lost to the Russian side, who are unbeaten in Europe competition at home so far this season.
However, Klopp's men will be in confident mood as they look to qualify for the knockout stages after their 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Team news
Kazan will be without Oleg Kuzmin as he serves a suspension for seeing red when the two sides met at Anfield.
Reds striker Christian Benteke, a goalscoring substitute in the 3-1 win at Chelsea on Saturday, is in the party along with all the others who were involved in the victory at Stamford Bridge.
Youngsters Pedro Chirivella, Cameron Brannagan and back-up goalkeeper Ryan Fulton are included but midfielder Joao Teixeira is ineligible and defender Connor Randall, who made his debut against Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup last week, has not travelled.
Opta stats
Kazan have lost just one of their last 12 home games in Europe (incl. qualifiers), winning eight and drawing three.
Indeed, Russian clubs have lost just two of their last 11 home European games against English sides - Anzhi to Spurs in October 2013 and CSKA Moscow to Man City also in October 2013.
Liverpool have drawn each of their opening three fixtures 1-1 and are on a run of one win in 10 games in Europe (1-0 vs Besiktas in February 2015).
Since beating Udinese in December 2012, Liverpool have lost four and drawn two of six away European games, failing to score in each of those defeats.
If the Reds fail to win against Kazan, it will be their longest ever winless away run in European competition (they also went six without a win between October 2001 and September 2002, which is currently a joint-record).
The Reds have never kept a clean sheet in an away European game in Russia, conceding in all five games (nine goals).
Only Athletic Club (23) have used more players than Liverpool (21) this season.
Betting
Liverpool are marginally odds-on at 19/20 with Sky Bet, who make Rubin Kazan 11/4 outsiders for the win and 5/2 for the draw.
The Reds are currently 5/4 second favourites to win Group B, with Sion slightly shorter odds at 11/10, while Rubin are the group's biggest-priced outsiders to progress.
Benteke heads the first goalscorer betting at 9/2, while Marko Devic is considered the hosts' main threat at 6/1 to break the deadlock.
Sky Bet have various Price Boosts available for the match along with scorecast predictions from the Soccer Saturday pundits and Jamie Redknapp.