Portuguese champions Porto face a tough road trip to Russia on Wednesday to take on Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League.
Porto began their 2011/12 European campaign with a 2-1 win at home against Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk, but will face a much tougher task when they travel from one side of the continent to the other to face Luciano Spalletti's Zenit.
The Russians were shock 2-1 losers against Cypriot's APOEL in their Group G opener on September 13, and need to make the most of their home fixtures if they are to qualify for the knockout stages.
Although the two sides have never met, Porto have never lost on Russian soil and won two matches there on their march to last season's Europa League title, scoring six goals in the process.
Despite losing star striker Radamel Falcao during the offseason, Porto have had no trouble finding the back of the net this term, with 14 goals in six matches in the Liga Sagres.
Brazilian international Hulk has scored three of those and also hit a stunning free kick against Shakhtar, and will be Porto's danger man.
The Russians will likely be relying on top scorers Alexander Kerzhakov and Danko Lazovic up front, but will have plenty of inside information into Porto's tactics with Bruno Alves in their camp.
The Portuguese defender spent 10 years at the Estadio do Dragao before moving to Russia in 2010, although the Zenit captain - along with Porto midfielder Fredy Guarin - will miss Wednesday's clash through suspension.
In the other Group G match on Wednesday, Shakhtar Donetsk will be hoping to open their account when they host APOEL.
The Ukrainian side has an imposing record at the Donbass Arena, having lost there just once in 16 European fixtures.
They won all four home matches in last season's competition before their streak was broken by Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
APOEL will not fear the trip east, with the Cypriot club performing admirably away from home in their last Champions League campaign in 2009/10.
Then, they earned draws at Atletico Madrid and Chelsea while losing 2-1 at Porto, and have already won twice away from home during qualifying this season.
Both sides have a strong South American influence, with Argentine Esteban Solari and Brazilians Ailton Almeida and Gustavo Manduca leading the line for APOEL.
Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu will be relying on Brazilians Luiz Adriano and Jadson and Brazilian-born Croatian Eduardo da Silva to get the job done, as his side aim to repeat their quarter-final heroics of last season.
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