1.FSV Mainz 05 will be aiming kick-start their season with a win when they face St Etienne in their opening Europa League Group C fixture at the OPEL ARENA on Thursday (kick-off 19:00CEST/17:00GMT).

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The 05ers were 4-1 up against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday, but conceded three second half goals to come away with just a point. Their first taste of the group stage of the Europa League offers coach Martin Schmidt’s side a chance to make amends by getting their European journey off to a winning start.

Watch: Mainz 4-4 Hoffenheim

Their French opponents came through two qualifying ties to make the group, and held Paris St-Germain 1-1 last Friday. Mainz will hope to make the most of home advantage, and have only lost one of their previous five outings at home in European competitions.

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Key facts

St Etienne have lost nine of their 17 meetings with German sides.

Mainz have never met French opponents before.

St Etienne are undefeated in four European games this season, registering two home draws and two away wins in qualifying ties against AEK Athens and Beitar Jerusalem.

Possible line-ups

Mainz: Lössl - Donati, Bell, Balogun, Bussmann - Gbamin - Öztunali, Frei, Malli, De Blasis - Cordoba

Coach: Martin Schimdt

St Etienne: Moulin - Theophile Catherin, Perrin, Pogba - Malcuit, Veretout, Selnaes, Lemoine, Lacroix - Saivet - Roux

Coach: Christophe Galtier