Leicester get things under way!

Right then, the teams are out on the pitch on a chilly afternoon in Moscow.

Almost time for kick off.

There's a minute's silence first to remember the Luzhniki stadium disaster. On 20 October 1982, a number of fans died attending the Uefa Cup game between Spartak and Haarlem.

Leicester really could do with a win to give themselves a strong chance of progressing.

That's easier said than done, however. They have won just one of their last seven Europa League matches (D3 L3) and are winless in four (D2 L2).

The Foxes have also failed to score in three of their last four matches in the competition.

Brendan Rodgers knows the importance of this game for his side's aspirations in the Europa League.

"If we can win the game it puts us in a great position," he said.

"If you get to 10 points you will not be too far away from the top of the group.

"If we want to continue and go far in the competition this is a game which is going to be really important, especially with two more games to come at home."

Image source, Getty Images

Both sides go into this game on the back of morale-boosting results.

Late goals saw Leicester beat Manchester United 4-2 in the Premier League while Spartak scored two late goals as they came from two behind to draw with Dynamo in the Moscow derby.

Hopefully that sets things up for a great game this afternoon.

Image source, Getty Images

Quick look at the BBC Weather app and it's three degrees in Moscow right now.

Eeek!

As always you can have your say on any of today's UCL action by tweeting or texting us.

In honour of Leicester's first trip to Russia, we want to know your tales of following the Foxes - or any other team - abroad.

This is Leicester's first trip for a competitive game in Russia.

Spartak Moscow have fared well against travelling English teams in the past - they have won five, drawn two and lost two such encounters.

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Victor Moses, who played under Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool, starts at right-wing back for Spartak Moscow.

Netherlands international Quincy Promes is on the bench.

Spartak Moscow XI: Maksimenko, Rasskazov, Gigot, Dzhikija, Moses, Litvinov, Zobnin, Ayrton, Larsson, Bakaev, Sobolev.

Subs: Melnikov, Lomovitskiy, Ignatov, Promes, Kutepov, Rebrov, Eshchenko, Gaponov, Selikhov.

There's two changes for Leicester from the side that beat Manchester United as Patson Daka and Luke Thomas come in for Jamie Vardy and Timothy Castagne.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Amartey, Evans, Söyüncü, Thomas, Tielemans, Soumaré, Maddison, Iheanacho, Daka.

Subs: Ward, Jakupović, Bertrand, Castagne, Benković, Vestergaard, Choudhury, Dewsbury-Hall, Albrighton, Lookman, Barnes, Vardy.

Image source, BBC Sport

Hello!

Europa League is usually the domain of a Thursday but we've got a bit of sneaky early Wednesday action today to set the tone before the Champions League games kick off later.

It is just under 30 minutes until Leicester kick off in Russia, so let's take a look at the team news...

Image source, Getty Images

Qualifying for the knockout stages of last season's Europa League was easy for Leicester City.

The Foxes finished top of the group and ensured progression with two games to spare.

It has been a slow start this time with no wins after two games but a win against Spartak Moscow this afternoon would make things look considerably more rosy.

Lose, however, and they'll be five points off the top two and plenty of work to do...