German giants Bayern Munich join the final scramble for a berth in the UEFA Cup knock-out round today as Bolton and Aberdeen bid to bolster the British contingent along with Spurs, Everton and Rangers as the group phase enters its final stretch.
Having played all their matches in Group F, Bolton's hopes of qualification is now out of their hands.
The Trotters presently top the group on six points, with Greek side Aris Saloniki and Bayern Munich both on five with Sporting Braga on three.
PHOTO: EPA
Red Star Belgrade are already eliminated, having picked up zero points from three games.
The English Premier side could still join the Serbs at the exit if Sporting Braga beat Red Star by more than one goal while Bayern Munich draw at home against Aris.
Bayern, however, remain unbeaten at home in the UEFA Cup in over a decade but recent results -- two wins and four goals in seven games -- have caused concern.
"I am slightly annoyed concerning the club's latest results. Mentally speaking we're not very good," their France international midfielder Franck Ribery said.
Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld insists, however, his side are confident ahead of today's tie, where a win would take them into the last 32 as group winners.
"We must not get infected by all this crisis talk," Hitzfeld said. "We have lost just once in 17 matches. If we now win our UEFA Cup tie against Aris, then the first half of the season will have been very, very positive."
Aberdeen, meanwhile, have their fate in their own hands and will battle it out with FC Copenhagen in a bid for the remaining Group B berth -- Panathinaikos and Atletico Madrid are already through.
The Dons host the Danes tomorrow at Pittodrie, needing a win to qualify.
A draw will see Jimmy Calderwood's side eliminated so the Scottish club will have to overturn their zero-goals tally against Danish opposition if they are to join SPL rivals Rangers in the last 32.
Rangers are one of the eight teams to drop down from the Champions League to battle it out in Europe's second-tier competition.
Everton have secured their place in the knock-out phase as Group A leaders heading into tomorrow's tie against AZ Alkmaar, who need a win to advance with the Toffees.
German side Nuremberg also need three points to qualify when they play bottom club Larissa.
Londoners Tottenham are safe on seven points in Group G, leaving Getafe, Anderlecht and Hapoel Tel Aviv in the hunt the two remaining spots.
Getafe host Anderlecht while Hapoel welcome eliminated Aalborg today.
Panionios Athens enter their all-important Group H clash with Bordeaux with renewed confidence after a domestic league win over city rivals Panathinaikos at the weekend.
"I believe we are 100 percent ready to win and go on to the next round of the UEFA Cup competition," Panionios' Croatian midfielder Ivica Majstorovic said.
Turkish side Galatasaray, the 2000 winners, will join Panionios in a battle for the remaining ticket and have the easier fixture when they play bottom side Austria Vienna at home.
Group winners Bordeaux and Helsingborg have both qualified.
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