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Östersund v Zorya background

The top two teams in Group J meet in Sweden knowing that the evening could end with one of them celebrating a first ever qualification for a European knockout phase.

Östersunds can reach the round of 32 with a win
Östersunds can reach the round of 32 with a win ©AFP/Getty Images

The top two teams in UEFA Europa League Group J meet in Sweden knowing the evening could end with one of them celebrating a first ever qualification for a European knockout phase.

Group leaders Östersund will seal a round of 32 berth with victory, whereas Zorya, one point shy of their hosts at kick-off, will go through should they win and Hertha do likewise at Athletic Club in the other group fixture.

Previous meetings
Östersund beat Zorya 2-0 in Lviv on matchday one with second-half goals from Saman Ghoddos and Salisu Abdullhi Gero. It was the first time either club had faced a team from their opponents' country.

• The 11 games between Ukrainian and Swedish clubs in UEFA competition have favoured the Ukrainian side (W5 D3 L3). Östersund's win in Lviv was the first by a Swedish club on Ukrainian soil.

Form guide
• European newcomers Östersund are unbeaten at home in Europe, with victories in their first four matches preceding a 2-2 draw with Athletic Club on matchday three – the only one of those five games in which their goal has been breached.

• Zorya have lost five of their last six away fixtures in European competition, the exception a shock 1-0 victory at Athletic Club on matchday two. Ihor Kharatin's winning goal in Bilbao is the only time Zorya have found the net in five UEFA Europa League group stage away games.

• First-time Swedish Cup winners in 2016/17, Östersund have reached the UEFA Europa League group stage in their debut UEFA campaign, eliminating Galatasaray, Fola Esch and PAOK in the qualifying rounds.

• Third in the 2016/17 Ukrainian Premier League, Zorya are featuring in their second successive group stage; they were unable to make the UEFA Europa League round of 32 last term, failing to win any of their six matches (D2 L4) and scoring just twice.

Highlights: Zorya 0-2 Östersund

Links and trivia
• The journey from Lviv, where Zorya are playing European home games, to Ostersund is around 1,600km.

• Östersund concluded their 2017 Swedish Allsvenskan campaign on 5 November. They finished fifth, 14 points behind champions Malmö – the highest final placing in the club's history.

• Zorya have taken part in 24 UEFA fixtures to date, while Östersund have played only ten.

• Suspended for next match if booked: Fouad Bachirou and Ronald Mukiibi (Östersund).

The coaches
• Englishman Graham Potter has helped steer Östersund from the Swedish fourth tier to the UEFA Europa League since taking the reins in 2011. He played in England's lower leagues with teams including Birmingham, Stoke and West Brom.

• Yuriy Vernydub has been in charge at Zorya since stepping up from his role as assistant coach in November 2011, leading them to fourth and third-placed finishes in the last two seasons. He was a Russian Cup winner as a Zenit defender in 1999.