UEFA Europa League Preview: Rubin look to finish job against Jagodina

Rubin Kazan host Jagodina in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League second-round qualifier knowing a draw will be enough to progress.

The Russian side hold a 3-2 lead from the first leg in Serbia and know that anything other than a defeat will see them through to the third qualifying round.

However, despite possessing the likes of Salomon Rondon and Yann M’Vila, Rubin will be mindful of losing their focus as they look to better their run in last year’s tournament, which saw them reach the last eight.

Utrecht are one side in real danger of succumbing to a shock after they lost their first leg with Differdange of Luxembourg last week, and their efforts to win the Eredivisie play-offs will be for nothing if they cannot turn the 2-1 deficit around at the Stadion Galgenwaard on Thursday.

Rosenborg also have a challenge on their hands to seal their progression. The Norwegian outfit slipped to a 1-0 home defeat to St. Johnstone, with Frazer Wright bagging the crucial goal for the Scottish Premier League side.

Tommy Wright will be hoping his team can stand firm against the Trondheim club, while their fellow Scots Hibernian head into their meeting with Malmo needing to overturn a two-goal disadvantage from the first leg.

Sparta Prague travel to Sweden to face Hacken, and Martin Hasek’s charges require a victory to qualify for the next stage after throwing away a 2-0 lead in the home leg.

Croatia’s Hajduk Split occupy a slightly more comfortable position against Turnovo, as goals from Marko Bencun and Mario Maloca helped them to a 2-1 success last time out. But Dejan Blazevski’s away goal makes the Macedonian minnows dangerous opposition in the return leg.

Elsewhere, Belgian side Standard Liege should have little trouble going through to the next round following their 3-1 first leg win over KR in Reykjavik, while Derry City welcome Trabzonspor to Northern Ireland after going down 4-2 in last week’s first leg in Turkey.