Champions League Group H/ Ajax v AC Milan: The holders Milan may sit on top of Champions League Group H but the wrong result against Ajax in Amsterdam tonight and Carlo Ancelotti's side could be out.

Milan need at least a draw to be sure of qualification, while Ajax, in second place, need a victory to confirm their progress ahead of Celta Vigo and Club Brugge. The Belgians, who are rock bottom of the group, three points adrift of Milan, could still qualify for the next phase if results go their way.

Ajax will be missing a number of key players. Their young captain, Rafael van der Vaart, and defender Zdenek Grygera are suspended, while defender Hatem Trabelsi and midfielder Steven Pienaar are injured.

And Milan are taking nothing for granted. They rested their Brazilian sensation Kaka, striker Filippo Inzaghi, Cafu and Paolo Maldini for the 2-0 win over Chievo in Serie A on Sunday.

Milan will need their defence to keep up the effort which has seen them concede just one goal in their last three European encounters. Ajax are the group's leading scorers but their own rearguard has been hit hard by the recent spate of injuries.

Ajax will rely heavily on the Wesley Sneijder (19), the striker who was so impressive in Holland's 6-0 win over Scotland.

The 2002 winners Real Madrid travel to Marseille having already qualified. But the Spanish league leaders will show the French side no mercy and have named a full-strength side, including Zinedine Zidane, who returns to the Stade Velodrome to take on his hometown club.

Marseille, the only French side to have won the Champions League, could become the first to exit this season's tournament tonight. While Monaco and Lyon top their respective groups, the 1993 champions are in third place in Group F and must beat Real and hope Porto do not win at home to Partizan Belgrade.

Guardian Service