Rubin Kazan -v- Shamrock Rovers
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Shamrock Rovers are in Russia on Wednesday evening as they face Rubin Kazan in the penultimate game of their Europa League Group A adventure. (kick-off 5pm Irish time).
The first time these sides met, Rubin Kazan showed Rovers the difference in class needed to be competitive at this level of European competition. A killer blow two minutes into the game saw Obafemi Martins give the Russians an early lead. Two further goals from Christian Noboa and Gokdeniz Karadeniz sealed a 3-0 win for the visiting side.
Rovers have gone on to lose all their games in this group however they have put in some battling performances, in particular against Tottenham in White Hart Lane. Playing in Kazan brings a whole new level of challenge though with temperatures set to sink as low as -6 degrees Celsius.
Hoops boss Michael O'Neill is aware of the numerous difficulties facing his team. He said: "There are many factors that will make this difficult for us: the travel, climate and quality of Kazan. This will be as difficult a game - if not the most difficult - as we have faced in the Europa League so far.
"But the players have been excellent since we came back together. The Malmo game was a bonus and was very good for us. The team is in good shape despite not having played competitively for four weeks."
Shamrock Rovers will be without Craig Sives (groin) and Conor McCormack (calf) for the clash.
With the Hoops now out of season, they will be facing a team still competing in theirs. On the weekend, Kazan defeated third placed Dynamo Moscow by two goals to nil.
Referee: Harald Lechner (AUT)
PaddyPower odds: Rubin Kazan 1/8 Draw 7/1 Shamrock Rovers 20/1
Extratime.ie prediction: Rubin Kazan to win. 3-0
