Europa League preview: Inter, Rubin battle for supremacy

20 November 2012 03:54

Inter Milan will need to overcome Rubin Kazan's miserly defence when the two Group H leaders battle it out for top spot in the Europa League.

Rubin Kazan have not conceded a goal since they took on Inter in Milan on matchday one of this season's Europa League.

Both sides have won their past three games in the Europa League and will meet at Kazan's Centralniy Stadion on Thursday with either team set to move three points clear at the top of Group H with a victory.

Rodrigo Palacio could be the key player in Andrea Stramaccioni's plans to break open Kazan's defence as the Argentine attacker has scored three of Inter's four goals in their past two Europa League fixtures.

Inter head into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw against Cagliari, while Kazan won 2-0 away to Alaniya in the Russian Premier League.

In Group J, Lazio will host Tottenham in another top-of-the-group clash.

Lazio lead Group J on eight points, while Tottenham are two points adrift in second and the English club will hope they have turned a corner after their 3-1 win at home against Maribor last time out.

Tottenham started their Europa League campaign with three consecutive draws before overcoming the Slovenian champions on matchday four.

Lazio drew 0-0 away to Serie A leaders Juventus over the weekend, while Tottenham went down 5-2 against local rivals Arsenal.

Liverpool will welcome Young Boys Bern to Anfield in Group A in a rematch of their thrilling 5-3 result on matchday one.

Brendan Rodgers will hope his Liverpool side can come out on top again, although the Northern Irish manager will no doubt be keen to see a more comprehensive victory this time around.

Liverpool trailed Young Boys 3-1 with less than half an hour to play in September before Jonjo Shelvey came to the rescue with two goals in the last 15 minutes to inspire victory.

Switzerland's Young Boys drew 0-0 at home against St Gallen on Saturday, while Liverpool won 3-0 over Wigan.

Marseille will hope to leapfrog Borussia Moenchengladbach in Group C when they host leaders Fenerbahce, while Basel should be confident of a win at home when Group G's bottom club Sporting Lisbon come to town.

In Group F, PSV Eindhoven must win to keep their hopes of Europa League progress alive when they host Ukraine's Dnipro Dniproptrovsk, while Udinese will make the long trek to play Anzhi Makhachkala in Group A, Hannover take on Twente in Group L and Group D leaders Newcastle United host Portugal's Maritimo.