Big guns look to make the cut early

The German champions, who would also advance with a draw providing Bruges do not beat Rapid in the other game, beat the Italians 2-1 in the reverse fixture but lost in Turin last season.

JUVE, second on six points, will be smarting after their record nine-match winning start to the season was ended by AC Milan at the weekend.

ARSENAL talisman Thierry Henry could be recalled by manager Arsene Wenger as the North London side seek a victory at home over Sparta Prague that will put them through from Group B.

The France striker, who scored twice against Sparta in Prague to overhaul Ian Wright as Arsenal’s record goalscorer, missed the weekend draw with Tottenham after aggravating a groin injury. Midfielder Freddie Ljungberg should recover from cramp that forced him off against Spurs.

BARCELONA welcome Panathinaikos to the Nou Camp on Wednesday on the verge of the knockout stages. Top of Group C with seven points, they are without Portugal midfielder Deco and Brazilian defender Juliano Belletti through injury.

Jose Mourinho’s CHELSEA face a Real Betis side in disarray. Chelsea would go into the last 16 with a victory with Premier League rivals Liverpool also advancing if they beat Anderlecht at Anfield, providing Chelsea also triumph.

OLYMPIQUE LYON, as dominant in Ligue 1 as Chelsea are in the Premier League, will qualify from Group F with a victory over Olympiakos as long as Real Madrid do not lose to Rosenborg.

REAL, who could also qualify by beating Rosenborg if Olympiakos do not beat Lyon, have defender Sergio Ramos back after suspension. Brazilian duo Ronaldo and Julio Baptista and France playmaker Zinedine Zidane are injured and miss the trip to Norway.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson is under mounting pressure after a 4-1 drubbing at Middlesbrough on Saturday left their title chances in ruins with Chelsea already 13 points above the Premier League’s once-dominant power.

United travel to Lille on Wednesday as one-point leaders in a tightly-fought Group D With Ferguson demanding a rapid improvement.

‘‘We’ll get a response, that’s without question. That’s what we’ve always been good at. And that’s my job’’, said Ferguson. ‘‘We’re still in a good position (in Group D), don’t get me wrong about that, but we can’t afford the defensive frailties we’ve shown.’’

(Reuters)