The Slovenian club would finish third in Group G and secure a berth in the knock-out phase of the UEFA Europa League with a victory, which Maribor will seek in front of their home crowd at Ljudski vrt stadium.

Anything less would leave them fourth in the group, the same as their only previous UEFA Champions League group stage appearance in the 1999/2000 season, and end their campaign in European competitions.

Head coach Ante Šimundža says that the German team is a clear favourite. "Ahead of the last match we have the opportunity to stay in the European competitions, which is definitely a success," he told the press on Tuesday.

The 30 September fixture between Maribor and Schalke 04 in Gelsenkirchen ended with 1:1. Maribor have also drawn 1:1 at home to Sporting and Chelsea in the group stage.

Maribor are currently last in the group with no wins and two losses, including a 0:6 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea in London.

The perennial Slovenian football champions played in the UEFA Europa League in the 2012/2013 season for the first time in the club's history. They were eliminated by Spain's Sevilla FC.