Preview: FC Krasnodar vs. Borussia Dortmund

FC Krasnodar   Getty Images For the Russian Premier League outfit the task is simple, a win will see them through to the last 32 of the Europa League. Even a draw could be good enough for Oleg Kononov's men, if PAOK fail to beat Azerbaijani team Qabala. However, this would be no fluke if Krasnodar reach the knockout phase, having been edged out by Everton and Wolfsburg at the same stage last season. Indeed, the Bulls had led in Dortmund earlier in this campaign and looked set for a point until Park Joo-Ho scored deep into stoppage time to give Borussia victory. Since that defeat on matchday one, Krasnodar have remained unbeaten and victory over PAOK has left the Black-Greens on the verge of qualification. Their defence has played a key part in keeping them in contention, conceding only three times, while Krasnodar have scored three more than both PAOK and Qabala. However, they prepared for this game by losing 3-2 against domestic rivals Spartak Moscow at the weekend.  It is plain to see why Tuchel was upset with the result and the display, given that Dortmund lost further ground on title rivals Bayern Munich. Nevertheless, that loss was only Die Borussien's second defeat of the season in all competitions, with the first being the infamous 5-1 reverse at the hands of Pep Guardiola's men in Der Klassiker. The Black and Yellows have also scored only four fewer than their Bavarian counterparts in the Bundesliga and are the joint third highest scorers in the group phase of the Europa League so far. Dortmund's potency in front of goal may be down in some part to the work of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but the Congolese forward has since caught the eye of some of the continent's biggest teams and could yet leave the club as early as January, if reports are to be believed. However, BVB also boasts one of the best defences in the Europa League.