Dundalk have already created history by becoming the first Irish club to win points in the group stage of European competition. Tonight, we will find out if they can go further and qualify for the last 32.

The boys from County Louth, the lowest ranked team in the Europa League, face a Group D showdown away to Maccabi Tel-Aviv. 

Both sides have four points and the League of Ireland side must hope AZ Alkmaar do not beat already-qualified Zenit St Petersburg, otherwise the Dutch club will clinch second place and progress to the knockout games.

Manager Stephen Kenny says his side's exploits in the Champions League qualifiers and the Europa League games give cause for optimism.

"We have scored in every country we have been in. Luxembourg, Croatia, Belarus, Iceland, Poland, Holland and Russia. We have the ability to go anywhere and score," he says.

Image source, BBC Sport

Manchester United:

• must avoid defeat in Ukraine to guarantee progress to the last 32
• can still go through if they lose and Feyenoord fail to beat group leaders Fenerbahce

Image source, #bbcfootball

Southampton:

• will reach the last 32 with a win or a goalless draw
• will go out if Hapoel win
• will go out if the game finishes as a score draw because the reverse fixture in Israel ended 0-0

Image source, #bbcfootball

Remember: Teams that finish level on points in their group are separated by the results in their head-to-head meetings, followed by away goals scored in those games and then finally overall goal difference.

Clear?

A extra pair of socks just won't cut it in Ukraine tonight. It is a lycra leggings, 'skins' top and thermal gloves kind of night. And that is just the Manchester United players. 

Current temperature in Odessa? Hovering over the freezing mark.

The Red Devils are our first focus in this Europa League finale - and a defeat could turn up the heat on Jose Mourinho...

Zorya Luhansk v Man Utd (18:00 GMT)

Southampton v Hapoel Beer Sheva (20:05 GMT)

I bet Eric Bailly is delighted about being thrown straight back in on a dodgy pitch...

Image source, .

Five changes for Manchester United as defender Eric Bailly makes his first appearance since suffering a knee injury against Chelsea in October.

Sergio Romero starts in goal while Ashley Young and Daley Blind line up in the full-back positions. Skipper Wayne Rooney returns to the starting XI after missing Sunday's game at Everton because of suspension.

Man Utd: Romero, Young, Bailly, Rojo, Blind, Herrera, Pogba, Mata, Rooney, Mkhitaryan, Ibrahimovic. Subs: De Gea, Fosu-Mensah, Jones, Fellaini, Lingard, Martial, Rashford.

Imagine if Manchester United's 3,100-mile round trip to south Ukraine had been disrupted by a postponement. Jose Mourinho would have been angrier than someone who had dropped a bag of freshly-bought chips over the pavement.

So we want to know your footballing nightmares. Any long journeys to watch/play games which have ultimately been fruitless? Ever been locked out of the changing rooms and forced to change in freezing temperatures before a match?

Tweet #bbcfootball or text 81111.

Since the days of Stanley Matthews, the world has seen technological breakthroughs that previous generations would never have believed possible.

But one thing has not changed: Mother Nature continuing to cause havoc with winter football pitches.

Especially in December. And especially in Ukraine. Manchester United's Europa League tie at Zorya Luhansk will go ahead tonight, despite the English side complaining the Odessa pitch was "rock hard".

A couple of pitch inspections and some giant heaters shoved under a big canvas blanket later, we're good to go. And Wayne didn't even have to help the groundstaff...

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, PA

Image source, Getty Images

Tens of burning braziers strewn across the pitch. A couple of strapping men, wrapped up in thick industrial overcoats and woolen baggy caps, shovelling lumps of coal on to the glowing embers.

The team's star striker, arguably England's most recognisable footballer, arrives on the scene to muck in.

A different era. A different football.