Both CSKA Moscow and Zenit have won the old UEFA Cup this century, in 2005 and 2008 respectively, despite having to contend with a lack of league action during the winter. With the Russian league ending in late November, Spartak have played only one competitive match since - their Champions League group game against Zilina on December 8. They won that game and have recently played a run of friendly matches to build up their readiness for the Europa League last-32 clash with Swiss side Basle. "We have seen CSKA and Zenit playing with the same schedule and winning the UEFA Cup," Karpin told UEFA's website. He nevertheless realises the situation is not ideal for Russian sides with designs on European success. "It's difficult, not just for Spartak but for any Russian team, because there are no competitive games scheduled," said Karpin. "In reality there is one advantage for Basle - that they will already have started to play." Basle have also beaten Spartak in their two previous European ties, firstly in the European Cup first round in 1970 and then 2-0 both in Russia and Switzerland in the Champions League in 2002. With both Basle and Spartak having dropped out of the Champions League this time after the group stages, tomorrow's clash features two teams looking to make up for that disappointment by embarking on another European run. Basle had a competitive warm-up for the first leg of their clash with Spartak, beating St Gallen 3-0 on Saturday to stay at the top of the Swiss Super League. It was their second match since the winter break. The scoreline was persuasive, however the performance was not wholly satisfying to veteran Basle midfielder Benjamin Huggel. "Although it is a convincing result, it was a lot of hard work," Huggel told broadcaster Teleclub. "There were certain phases of our game that I cannot be satisfied with. Even in terms of tactics, some things have been forgotten. That must be better." Kick-off is at 8.05pm.
