CSKA Moscow host Feyenoord in Group K of the Europa League on Thursday with both sides looking to move into a top two position in the group.

Feyenoord ran out 3-1 winners in the recent meeting between the two sides at De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam.

Match preview

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CSKA Moscow lead the Russian Premier League with 32 points from 15 matches, but have found points much tougher to come by in Europe this season.

They sit rock bottom of Group I with only two points from three matches, having drawn to Austrian side Wolfsberger and Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb prior to losing at Feyenoord.

Viktor Goncharenko's side were comprehensively outplayed in Holland, with Marcos Senesi's late own goal for the hosts proving to be nothing more than a consolation goal for CSKA after three goals within 10 minutes of each other had taken the game away from them.

Goncharenko will know nothing short of victory against Feyenoord is enough if they are to have a realistic chance of progressing through to the Europa League knockout stages.

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Feyenoord, meanwhile, are in a slightly healthier position in the group, sitting third with four points from three matches.

Dick Advocaat's side earned a solid point in Zagreb having gone down to 10 men in the second half, but were humbled 4-1 at home to Wolfsberger before beating CSKA.

Many would have expected Holland's third best side to have comfortably progressed from the group, yet a loss at CSKA on Thursday would see them drop to bottom place with only two matches remaining.

Former Sunderland manager Advocaat will be hoping his side can replicate their league form, which has guided them to within three points of Eredivisie leaders Ajax after nine matches, as well as their recent win over CSKA in order to put them in a stronger position in terms of securing a top two position in the group.

CSKA Moscow Europa League form: DDL
CSKA Moscow form (all competitions): WDWDWL

Feyenoord Europa League form: DLW
Feyenoord form (all competitions): DLWWWW

Team News

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CSKA appear to be a little light at the back, with Vadim Karpov (coronavirus), Bruno Fuchs (hip) and Kirill Nababkin (knee) all likely to be out of action for the hosts.

Star striker Fyodor Chalov was substituted in the weekend's draw with Sochi, but should be fit to lead the line.

Feyenoord, meanwhile, have something of an injury crisis brewing, with at least eight first-team players doubtful to feature in Russia.

Goalkeeper Justin Bijlow (knock), defender Sven van Beek (ankle), midfielders Luis Sinisterra (knee), Orkun Kokcu (ankle), Leroy Fer (hamstring) and Christian Conteh (knock), and strikers Robert Bozenik (foot) and Nicolai Jorgensen (groin) could all be out of action for Advocaat's side on Thursday, potentially leaving them unable to name a full set of substitutes, as was the case in the weekend's victory at Fortuna Sittard.

CSKA Moscow possible starting lineup:
Akinfeev; Fernandes, Diveev, Magnusson, Zaynutdinov; Maradishvilli, Oblyakov; Sigurdsson, Vlasic, Kuchaev; Chalov

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Marsman; Geertruida, Spajic, Senesi, Malacia; Diemers, Toornstra, Teixeira; Berguis, Linssen, Haps

We say: CSKA Moscow 2-1 Feyenoord

With Feyenoord missing a host of first team players, we can see CSKA capitalising to climb above their opponents in the group.

Travelling to Russia is never an easy task for any side, let alone one with up to eight injuries.

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