By George Burns Nov 4, 2009, 9:28 GMT
Hamburg - Everton take on Benfica in the Europa League Thursday looking to banish memories of a 5-0 drubbing by the Portuguese side two weeks ago while Villarreal face Lazio hoping to keep up their recent good form after a poor start to the season.
The Blues have been strengthened by the return of defenders Leighton Baines, Joseph Yobo and midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from injury and victory at Goodison would leave David Moyes' side needing just a point from their final two Group I games to progress.
The defeat over in Portugal was difficult to take,' said Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell. Now theyve got to come to our ground and we have to show Benfica what a good side we are. We owe Benfica one and we owe it to ourselves. Hopefully on Thursday we can turn it around.'
Villarreal are keen to continue improving their results and performances, after moving off the bottom of the Spanish Liga by winning their last two matches.
Now their objective is to improve their situation in the Europa Leazgue, by beating Lazio at home.
Ernesto Valverde's team are third in Group G with three points, three points behind Lazio and six behind leaders Salzburg.
Defender Ivan Marcano pointed out that 'if we lose against Lazio then we are out.'
He added that 'they are having problems in the Italian league, but they showed in the first match (a 2-1 win for Lazio in Rome) that they are very dangerous playing on the counter-attack.'
Villarreal will again by without Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla, because of back problems, though fellow international Marcos Senna is fit again. Group leaders Salzburg will go through with a win against bottom side Levski Sofia.
In Group F, Galatasaray could book their place in the knockout phase with victory against Dinamo Bucharest as long as Panathinaikos manage all three points away to Sturm Graz.
AS Roma are still without captain Francesco Totti and may have in- form Frenchman Jeremy Menez sidelined for a crucial Group E home game to Fulham.
Coach Claudio Ranieri was optimistic after his side came from behind to clinch a 2-1 win over Bologna at the weekend.
'If we reversed the score it means that the wind is turning in our favour,' he said as his side ended a three-loss run in the Serie A.
Meanwhile in Group B, Valencia will be away to Slavia Prague, who battled out a valuable 1-1 draw in Mestalla two weeks ago.
Unbeaten Valencia are second in the group with five points, two points behind leaders Lille but two ahead of Genoa.
Spain defender Carlos Marchena is fit again and will make the trip to Prague.
'It will be a difficult game,' said Marchena, 'mainly because of the cold.' He expressed the hope that 'the pitch is in good condition.'
Valencia's injury victims are Nacho Gonzalez, Vicente Rodriguez, Alexis and Michel. In addition, star striker David Villa is suspended after being sent off in the home match against Slavia.
Athletic Bilbao, for their part, are away to Portuguese side Nacional, who are bottom of Group L with just one point.
Striker Inigo Díaz de Cerio is fit again and will make the trip to Madeira, but Fran Yeste, Markel Susaeta and Gaizka Toquero will all be absent due to injury.
Bilbao are second with six, one point behind leaders Werder Bremen, who take on Austria Vienna.
In Group A, Dinamo Zagreb welcome Ajax Amsterdam, who need a victory to maintain pole position for qualification, while Anderlecht entertain FC Timisoara.
Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic visit SV Hamburg knowing anything less than victory will all-but end their hopes of progressing to the next phase while Sporting Lisbon can book their place from Group D with a win at home to Latvian side FK Ventspils.
Group H leaders Fenerbahce play Steaua Bucharest while Twente Enschede take on surprise package Sheriff Tiraspol with both sides level on four points, two adrift of the Turks.
PSV Eindhoven can all-but guarantee qualification from Group K with a win away to FC Copenhagen while last year's UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk can book their place with a win at Toulouse.
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