Europa League: Kuban Krasnodar v Swansea City match preview

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

Michael Laudrup gesticulates on the touchline (GETTY IMAGES)

Michael Laudrup will be looking for an immediate response from his Swansea City side after their morale-sapping defeat away at arch-rivals Cardiff last weekend in the Premier League.

While the Welsh side’s domestic season has got off to a slightly disappointing start – with the Swans in the bottom half of the league and out of the League Cup – their European adventures continue to captivate the Swansea public.

Top of Group A and undefeated so far, Laudrup’s men have acclimatised well to European football despite being drawn alongside Spanish giants Valencia. That phenomenal 3-0 dismantling of the then-group favourites has since been labelled the most famous win in the club’s history.

The Swans, however, were unable to build on those foundations and went on to draw 1-1 at home with Kuban courtesy of a last minute Djibril Cissé penalty.

That clash was the visitors’ first under new coach Viktor Goncharenko and the Russian’s have remained unbeaten since his appointment. The 2-0 victory of Anzhi Makhachkala has been a particular highlight and ensures that Laudrup will be in for a stern test come kick-off.

KICK-OFF:Thursday, 5.00pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Swansea City (Michu) 1-1 Kuban Krasondar (Cissé), October 2013

STATS…

Kuban are one of four sides in the group stage who are debuting in European competition along with Wigan, CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu and Estoril Praia.

Swansea took twenty four free-kicks over the first three matchdays – more than any other club in this season's group stage.

Despite playing in English football between 2004 and 2013, Cissé’s only encounter with Swansea prior to matchday three was a humiliating 5-0 home defeat for QPR against Michael Laudrup's side on the first day of the 2012/13.

Krasnodar kicked off their maiden European campaign with four straight wins in qualifying, eliminating Motherwell FC and Feyenoord on their way to the group stage.

ODDS…

Kuban Krasnodar to win: 9/5

Swansea to win: 6/4

Draw: 23/10

TV:Live on ITV 4 HD at 5.00pm