Ajax and AZ seek Dutch double

The UEFA Cup takes centre stage on Wednesday and Thursday with Dutch contenders AFC Ajax and AZ Alkmaar among those looking to secure progress to the Round of 32.

Point enough for AZ
AZ did not play on Matchday 3, but go into their home game against FC Slovan Liberec on Wednesday knowing that a point will be enough to guarantee a top-three finish in Group C. It will not be easy, however, against a Liberec side for whom victory will earn the same prize. Ajax, meanwhile, will be certain of taking at least third position in Group F if they beat leaders RCD Espanyol in Amsterdam on Thursday night. Espanyol themselves require only a point to make sure of their progression.

Five go through
Five teams are already certain of a place in the knockout phase: the English trio of Blackburn Rovers FC, Newcastle United FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC, plus Italy's Parma FC and Scottish giants Rangers FC, who are hoping to make it to the final in their home city of Glasgow.

Wednesday assignments
In Wednesday's fixtures, Maccabi Haifa FC can nail down a qualifying berth in Group A if they collect at least a draw from AS Livorno Calcio, while in Group B, FC Dinamo 1948 Bucuresti will advance if they get the better of Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Romania. In Group C, three points against Grasshopper-Club in Zurich will be sufficient for holders Sevilla FC to move into the last 32 of the competition. Meanwhile, Group D rivals RC Lens and Odense BK will be certain of qualifying with victories over respective opponents Parma and CA Osasuna.

Thursday's agenda
AS Nancy-Lorraine can seal a top-three finish in Group E on Thursday by defeating Feyenoord in France, while Group G challengers Panathinaikos FC will book their ticket to the knockout stage with a home success against AFC Rapid Bucuresti. A Rapid win could prove enough for the visitors to progress depending on results elsewhere. Finally to Group H, where Fenerbahçe SK can join Newcastle in contesting the spring campaign if they prevail at RC Celta de Vigo and Eintracht Frankfurt fail to pick up maximum points at home to the group leaders from England's Premiership.