Spartak Moscow face a mountain to climb after losing the first leg 5:1 and almost nobody believes the Russians can overturn the deficit.

The atmosphere in the team is far from impressive, with coach Valery Karpin under fire at the moment, and this game definitely comes at a bad time for the hosts.

Spartak showed some improvement in the goalless draw against Terek last weekend, but they will have to play much better if they want to win this clash, let alone eliminate Porto.

Nicolas Pareja is closing in on his return from injury, but he is definitely out of this tie, while Marek Suchy and Marcos Rojo are suspended after picking up their third yellow cards.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Dikan – K. Kombarov, Kudryashov, Sheshukov, Makeev – McGeady, Ibson, Rafael Carioca, D. Kombarov – Alex – Wellington.

Porto continued the amazing run of results by trashing Spartak Moscow in the first leg and the Dragons are rightly considered one of the favourites for the trophy, with Paddy Power paying 2.60 (8/5) on Porto to win Europa League.

The Dragons recorded their ninth successive win as they beat Portimonense in Liga Sagres and they are now looking to make it ten in a row.

Midfielder Fernando Belluschi didn’t make the trip to Moscow through injury, just like Mariano and Sereno, but other than that Andre Villas-Boas will have full squad to choose from.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Helton – Pereira, Rolando, Otamendi, Fucile – Fernando, Guarin, Moutinho – Varela, Falcao, Hulk.

Bodog sees Porto as favourites here, with away win paying 2.38 (11/8), while Spartak are 2.90 (19/10) with William Hill to record a victory. Draw is quoted at 3.40 (12/5).