Wigan vs Rubin Kazan preview

October 23, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Wigan vs Rubin KazanWigan will be aiming to edge closer to their place in the knockout stages when they host group leaders Rubin, but that will be no easy task given that the Russians have won all eight European fixtures this term.

After suffering relegation to the Championship just a week following the FA Cup success at Wembley, the Latics have been struggling to come to terms with the new demands.

Even with Roberto Martinez and some key men leaving, Wigan probably boast the strongest squad in the second division, but they cannot seem to find any consistency at the moment.

But, while the team currently occupy 13th place in the league standings, they continue to impress on the European stage.

After holding Zulte Waregem to a goalless draw in their opening group fixture, the Latics defeated Maribor at home to create a three-point advantage over the Belgian side.

And even if the hosts face a mountain to climb against impressive Rubin Kazan, there may be some value in odds of 3.60 (13/5) for a home win.

Grant Holt and Jean Beausejour are set to be recalled, and the good news is there are no selection worries for Owen Coyle.

Probable starting line-up (4-5-1): Carson – Boyce, Barnett, Shotton, Perch – Beausejour, Powell, Watson, Gomez, McClean – Holt.

The two-time Russian Premier League champions have seriously raised the club’s profile in recent years, mostly thanks to some impressive displays in European competitions.

Rubin managed to clinch the final Europa League berth last term, which meant they had to start this year’s competition as early as the second qualifying round.

However, double victories over Jagodina, Randers and Molde ensured the Russians made it to the group stages, before comfortable triumphs  over Maribor and Zulte Waregem made them hot favourites to win their Europa League group.

Rubin may not have been as impressive on domestic stage, having won just one of last five league matches, but they still remain 2.30 (13/10) favourites to make it nine European victories on the bounce.

Kurban Berdyev’s side were somewhat unfortunate to lose to Volga at the weekend, with Bibras Natkho missing the first penalty in his career, but chances are they won’t be too downhearted by the result.

Key attacker Salomon Rondon remains sidelined, but important midfielder Roman Eremenko is set to be recalled.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Ryzhikov – Kuzmin, Navas, Marcano, Mavinga – Natkho, M’Vila – Torbinski, Eremenko, Karadeniz – Mekhametshin.

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