Europa League: Rubin Kazan v Wigan Athletic match preview

A look ahead to this tonight’s Europa League tie in Russia

Wigan manager Owen Coyle (GETTY IMAGES)

It’s often said that, in order to successfully manoeuvre through the minefield that is the Europa League, you inevitably end up sacrificing your domestic interests. Wigan Athletic are the epitome of this phenomena as their average start to the Championship season sits alongside a steady one in Europe.

A win at the Kazan Arena will send Owen Coyle’s Latics to the top of Group D and into prime position to qualify for the latter stages. With them four points adrift of the English second tier’s play-off places, fans are beginning to wonder whether their unbeaten start to life in continental football will be beneficial in the long run.

The FA Cup holders do have the form books to fall back on however, as they have only lost once in their last seven game in all competitions.

Rubin, on the other hand, are enduring a poor campaign in the Russian Premier League, having only picked up 17 points from 15 matches, and are just above the bottom four in 12th place.

Despite this last year’s quarter-finalists have history on their side, losing just the once at home in European football since 2006. Since then Chelsea, Tottenham, and Barcelona have all tried and failed.

Coyle was optimistic beforehand: “If we can keep creating the chances, the ball will end up in the net, there's no doubt about that. It’s another big week for us – Rubin Kazan away and then Yeovil away,” he said.

Clearly he too has one eye on more pressing matters in the league as well.

KICK-OFF:Thursday, 5.00pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Wigan 1 (Powell) Rubin Kazan 1 (Prudnikov), Europa League group stage, October 2013

STATS…

Wigan are unbeaten so far into their first Europa League spell. So far they’ve won one - the 3-1 home win over NK Maribor - and drawn two, against Zulte Waregem and Kazan.

The Latics have the fifth best defensive record in the Championship, having conceded just twelve goals in thirteen games.

This is Rubin’s 10th season in the Russian Premier League, following promotion in 2003 and they have already won two league titles in 2008 and 2009.

The Russian’s are 24th in the UEFA Club Rankings, the second highest side from their homeland. They are even ahead of English clubs such as Manchester City and Liverpool.

ODDS…

Rubin Kazan to win: 9/5

Wigan to win: 15/2

Draw: 100/30

TV:Live on BT Sport 1 HD at 5.00pm