Group D
Basle v Deportivo La Coruna

For Bsale, just getting this far has exceeded their most optimistic ambitions and coach Christian Gross has told his players to make the most of the experience.

“We have nothing to lose against a team that I think is among the top ten in Europe at the moment,” said Gross.

For Deportivo, a win tonight is vital, if they are to remain in contention.

‘We have to get the three points, otherwise the top two teams in the group will pull away from us.” said Depor coach Javier Irureta.

Defender Murat Yakin should play for Basle after recovering from a knee injury.

Australian midfielder Scott Chipperfield is also back after missing the first half of the season. But midfielders Antonio Esposito and Ivan Ergic are absent through injuries to calf and Achilles respectively.

Deportivo will be without midfielder Mauro Silva. At the back, Irureta has a choice between Donato or Jorge Andrade to play alongside Noureddine Naybet. Also missing are Fran Gonzalez, V¡ctor Sanchez and Cesar Martin

Probable teams:
Basel: Zuberbuehler, Haas, Yakin, Zwyssig, Atouba, Cantaluppi, Chipperfield, Barberis, Yakin, Rossi, Gimenez.
Deportivo: Juanmi, Hector, Naybet, Donato, Romero, Scaloni, Duscher, Sergio, Amavisca, Tristan, Makaay.

Manchester United v Juventus

The Italian champions travelled to England with just 15 fit players, after a flu epidemic swpet through the camp. Since arriving Lilian Thuran is believed to have become the latest player to succumb to the virus and Juventus are considering making an appeal to UEFA to have the match postponed.

To guard against complacency, United boss Alex Ferguson insists his players approach the match in the right frame ofmind.

“We still have to do a job because, whoever plays, they are Juventus and you don’t get easy games against them,” Ferguson said.

“There is always a worry when you play a weakened team but we will not fall into that trap.”

David Beckham has recovered from a calf problem and will play. TheEngland captain has also sorted out his differences with Ferguson following Saturday’s bizarre incident in which the United boss kicked a boot into Beckham’s face, leaving the midfielder requiring two stitches.

Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron who is suspended. Ryan Giggs has a calf strain and Paul Scholes is struggling with a groin problem but both should be available to Ferguson.

No such luxury for Juventus, who have been hit with a flu bug which rules five players out. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, defender Alessandro Birindelli, midfielder Gianluca Zambrotta plus forwards Marco Di Vaio and Marcelo Salas are out. Already missing was playmaker Alessandro Del Piero who has a thigh injury.

A win for United and they can begin contemplating the knock-out stages. For flu-ridden Juventus, anything other than a defeat, will be regarded as a morall victory.

Probable teams:
Man Utd: Barthez, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Beckham or Butt, Solskjaer, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy.
Juventus: Chimenti, Thuram, Montero, Ferrara, Pessotto, Camoranesi, Conte, Davids, Nedved, Trezeguet, Zalayeta. ÿ