RUSSIA, FRESH from “possibly the best match in our recent history” according to captain Andrey Arshavin, are in Skopje for tonight’s Group B meeting with FYR Macedonia.

With Russia, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland all tied at the top of the table with six points each, tonight’s game presents a huge opportunity for Russia and they travel with a fully fit squad.

The home side, however, will be without captain Goran Pandev, midfielder Darko Tasevski and left back Goran Popov, though the latter will be replaced by fit-again Aleksandar Lazevski.

Elsewhere, in Yerevan, Armenia host bottom-of-the-table Andorra. Vardan Minasyan’s hopes of building on his side’s impressive victory against Slovakia have been hampered by the absence of four players. Karlen Mkrtchyan misses out through suspension, while Davit Manoyan, Edgar Malakyan and Agvan Mkrtchyan are injured.

“The win against Slovakia used up a lot of energy,” said goalscorer Yura Movsisyan. “We won’t underestimate Andorra, who are tough opponents.”