Panathinaikos look to home comforts

After scoring their first goals of Group C last week Panathinaikos FC are eyeing the qualifying places for the next stage of the UEFA Champions League with renewed vigour and know that wins in both their remaining home games will book a quarter-final place irrespective of what happens against FC Porto.

Defensive unit
For tonight's return against AC Sparta Praha, Panathinaikos will once again put their trust in a defensive unit which with only six goals conceded in nine games - including six clean sheets - gives them the joint-best record in the competition.

Unbeaten away
The Prague club approach the fixture on less of a high after last week's 2-0 home defeat - their second of the second group stage - but they can take solace from fact they are unbeaten on their travels in the competition. They won in Rotterdam, Moscow and Porto and claimed a creditable draw at Bayern. 

Weakened team
Last Saturday, Panathinaikos travelled to Panahaiki GC and, against opponents stuck at the foot of the table, head coach Sergio Markarian decided to rest in-form Michalis Konstantinou, Daniel Saric and Sotiris Kirgiakos. The ploy did not pay off and a goalless draw ended a run of seven consecutive wins. Markarian said: "We have lost two valuable points. My players did their best and I am satisfied with their efforts." Asked to explain the number of changes, he said: "We did our best and I fielded the players who were in the best shape. The result was not good coming a few days prior to this crucial game against Sparta. However I am sure that on Wednesday we will be ready."

Goumas fit
Initially the coach had also decided not to include Giorgios Karagounis but, after the withdrawal of Ioannis Goumas through flu, Karagounis played the last 17 minutes. Goumas is expected to be fit for tonight's game.

Olisadebe unhappy
Emmanuel Olisadebe complained about being left out of the line-up in Prague and Markarian sympathises with the Polish international striker. He said: "I understand how Olisadebe feels and I will speak to him. I know how a 22-23 year-old thinks. All the guys want to play. I understand him. We will definitely talk, but there is no problem. I am 57 years old and I have seen a lot of scenes before."

Fissas returns
The coaching staff maintain that Olisadebe is not fit enough while Derek Boateng will also be missing this week. Panagiotis Fissas is available again after his one-match suspension. "The return match against Sparta is going to be more difficult because Sparta play better away from home," warned Markarian. "They proved it when they lost to Real Madrid at home and then beat Porto away. That is why we must play flat-out on Wednesday."

Hubschman ban
The Czech champions are without defender Tomáš Hubschman for this match after his red card in the first meeting. Defensive midfield player Jiri Jarosik is the likely replacement. Wing-backs Zdenek Grygera and Pavel Mares both stayed behind in Prague for treatment on ankle injuries so Radek Mynar and Jan Flachbart step in.

Spit off
Sparta returned to the top of the Czech 1. liga at the weekend with a 4-1 home win over bottom-of-the-table SFC Opava. Goalkeeper Michal Spit, in his first match of the season, was sent off at the start of the second half for handling outside his area. The goalscorers were Tomáš Cízek, Marek Kincl, Libor Sionko and Michal Zelenka.