FK Rostov are in a difficult situation after losing the first leg 2-0, but the Russian side hope weekend’s triumph over Mordovia Saransk will be just the boost they need to turn this season around.

Meanwhile, Trabzonspor proved they will be a real force to be reckoned with this season and they remain hot favourites to make it through.

While finishing the league campaign in seventh position, FK Rostov secured European qualification by winning the Russian Cup, which was the first major trophy in club’s history.

However, the club then saw important players Dzyuba, Ananidze and Logashov return to their respective sides, although they managed to sign a number of players on free transfers or loan deals.

FK Rostov had a pretty poor start to the season, losing the Russian Super Cup to CSKA Moscow before picking up just one point from next four league fixtures.

The 2-0 loss at Trabzonspor was nothing less than they deserved for a poor performance, although the team finally recorded the first win of the season by defeating Mordovia Saransk at the weekend.

FK Rostov are now available at 2.50 (3/2) to win the return leg against the Turkish side, but they are 8.50 (15/2) to qualify.

Azim Fatullaev and Alexei Rebko are injury doubts, while Igor Lolo remains on the sidelines. Attacker Byung-Soo Yoo is fit to feature.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Pletikosa – Goreux, Djakov, Bastos, Milic – Kalachev, Gatcan, Grigorjev, Torbinski – Kanga – Bukharov.

Trabzonspor were unable to mount a serious title challenge in Turkish Super Lig last term, ending the league campaign just behind the big 3, but they aim to make things right this season.

The club were very active in the summer transfer window, adding Oscar Cardozo, Kevin Constant, Essaid Belkalem, Carl Medjani and Mehmed Ekici, among other players, while few more quality footballers are expected to arrive.

As a result, Trabzonspor kicked off the new campaign in style, recording a 2-0 victory over FK Rostov and they are priced at 3.15 (43/20) to win the return leg as well.

The Turkish side will want to continue the good run ahead of the start of the new league championship and they look they can succeed in their quest.

New signings Mehmed Ekici, Serhat Cakmak, Ferhat Yazgan and Serdar Gurler were not registered in time and they are ineligible.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Kivrak – Bosingwa, Belkalem, Yumlu, Nizam – Medjani, Constant – Yilmaz, Aydogdu, Erdogan – Cardozo.