No room for error

Top two meet
Sevilla FC currently lead the section with seven points but must travel to LOSC Lille Métropole, who are one place and a point below their Spanish visitors. Coach Joaquín Caparrós has practically a full-strength squad at his disposal, although Sevilla face city rivals Real Betis Balompié on Saturday.

'Magnificent achievement'
Despite that potential distraction, Caparrós believes his side will be fully focused in France, saying: "Teams that have to play twice in a week are usually involved in European competition and that is a magnificent achievement."

'Big guns'
Lille may be without defenders Efstathios Tavlaridis and Nicolas Plestan, but goalkeeper Tony Sylva remains confident. "Sevilla are big guns but we're big enough to challenge them," he said. "They perform as a team and we'll have to counter that."

Crucial match
FC Zenit St. Peterburg are third with five points but have completed their programme and must hope that TSV Alemannia Aachen do not win at AEK Athens FC. Aachen right-back Dennis Brinkmann faces a late fitness test on an achilles tendon injury and Sergio Pinto is suspended. "It's probably the biggest match in the history of the club," said Aachen coach Dieter Hecking. "We will do everything we can to take all three points, but it won't be easy."

'Heads held high'
AEK have lost all three games and coach Fernando Santos could rest a number of regulars, but said: "There is no indifference in football. We are professionals and must have the same will to win in every match. We must give it our best shot and win so we can exit the competition with our heads held high."