Kuban Krasnodar v Swansea Tip

This looks like a classic case of the most likely outcome in the match being a draw (12/5 Sportingbet) even though it’s the longest odds option. It finished 1-1 when Swansea clashed with Kuban at the Liberty Stadium on 24 October on a night when both sides had 17 attempts on goal and even Michael Laudrup admitted that it was a ‘fair result’.

This return fixture will be a real test of character for the Swans who need to bounce back quickly after their derby day disappointment on Sunday. They must fly five hours to Russia, and they do so without their influential goal-getter Michu who found the net during the first meeting, as well as in the 3-0 victory in Valencia.

Without their talisman, and after such a tough assignment in Cardiff, I just can’t quite back Swansea to take the three points here at best odds of 13/8 (WilliamHill). However, they are top of Group A on seven points for a reason, and should at least avoid defeat to the bottom team who have accrued just that single point in Wales so far.

A point would keep Laudrup’s boys well on track for qualification and I could see them settling for that late on before returning to Premier League action on Sunday.