By George Burns Oct 21, 2009, 9:26 GMT
Hamburg - SV Hamburg visit Celtic for a Europa League match Thursday knowing their opponents desperately need a result to keep a stuttering qualifying campaign on track.
Celtic currently sit bottom of Group C with just one point from their two opening two matches against Hapoel Tel Aviv and Rapid Vienna. Defeat at Celtic Park in Glasgow against the Bundesliga high-fliers would see Tony Mowbray's side cut adrift at the bottom.
While Hamburg sit joint top of the German league, behind Bayer Leverkusen on goal difference, Celtic dropped a point behind Rangers in the Scottish Premier League after a goalless weekend draw at home to Motherwell.
'Our start in the group has been very disappointing,' admitted Celtic defender Mark Wilson.
'The Germans are a quality team but I feel if we are going to progress this is one we will have to win.'
Everton have no such worries ahead of a first-ever competitive encounter against Benfica after enjoying victories in both their opening fixtures to top Group I.
The leading sides in each group join eight third-placed teams from the Champions League group stage in the round of 32.
However, David Moyes is likely to be without Steven Pienaar for the clash as the South African midfielder is still recovering from a knee injury sustained against Portsmouth last month.
'The Benfica match could be one game too soon but I am taking it day-by-day. At the moment I am struggling with running so I may have to wait until it feels stronger,' he said.
Lille lead Group B alongside Valencia with four points ahead of the visit of Serie A side Genoa, who lie just one point behind but in need of a boost following a 5-0 thrashing by Inter Milan at the weekend.
Valencia, meanwhile, welcome Czech champions Slavia Prague trying to make it 13 European matches without defeat under Unai Emery.
In Group E, Roma will be without their injured captain Francesco Totti when they visit English Premier League side Fulham, who seem to have found their footing this season after a slow start.
Roy Hodgson's side beat Hull City 2-0 Monday to move up to 12th and are the only side with a 100-per-cent record in the group as Basel, Roma and CSKA Sofia have all lost one game.
'Only we haven't lost, so maybe if we win this game we go through to the next round of the competition,' said Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara.
In Group G, leaders Salzburg take on Levski Sofia looking to make it three wins out of three while Villarreal face Lazio with one victory already under their belt but in desperate need of a boost.
Ernesto Valverde's side are bottom of Spain's La Liga after losing 2-1 against newcomers Xerez and the new coach admits he is under pressure.
'There is a certain amount of pressure at the club because the expectation is that Villarreal is a club that should be up there with the top sides,' he said.
Werder Bremen can move on to a healthy nine ponts from their three matches in Group L with victory away to bottom side Austria Vienna while in Group K, PSV Eindhoven will be looking to maintain their unbeaten Europa League start at home to Copenhagen.
In Group A, Anderlecht can stay top with victory away to Romanian side Timisoara while Group F leaders Galatasaray welcome second- placed Dinamo Bucharest.
Dutch side Twente Enchede can retain control of Group H with three points away to Sheriff Tiraspol and Shakhtar Donetsk's 100-per-cent record in Group J will be tested by a tough match at home to unbeaten Toulouse.
Hertha Berlin can put their Bundesliga woes behind them for a short while at least when they entertain Heerenveen in Group D.
The German side lost 3-0 last weekend at Nuremberg to remain rooted to the bottom with just three points from their nine games and have only one point from their European campaign so far.
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