Jose Mourinho's team is reeling after a poor performance in its latest Serie A match, a 2-1 loss to title rivals Juventus. Another defeat would put Kazan through.
Inter is second behind Barcelona in their group with six points, two behind group leader Barcelona, which only needs to avoid a large defeat to Dynamo Kiev to secure advancement.
Kazan also has six points but worse goal difference, while Dynamo is last with five. Both Inter and Kazan could miss out if they draw and Kiev beats Barcelon¬a at home.
"In the league we can go again, but in the Champions League we can't," midfielder Dejan Stankovic said. "It is a final against Rubin Kazan."
Inter will be boosted by Wesley Sneijder and Maicon returning to the starting lineup. Sneijder's prompting from behind the front two was badly missed against Juventus and Inter has yet to lose a match that the Dutchman has been involved in.
Maicon, meanwhile, returns after missing the Juventus game through suspension and his return will give Inter a more dynamic edge in attack, something Samuel Eto'o thinks is much needed.
"In the Champions League we need a much better Inter, from the start to the finish," Eto'o said.
Gurban Berdiyew's side won its second consecutive Russian league title in November and has not played for 10 days. However, Kazan will be without defender Roman Sharonov who is out with a right knee injury and striker Aleksandr Bukharov who is recovering from wrist surgery.
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