Beveren braced for high-flying Stuttgart

The German and Portuguese league leaders are both in action as Group G gets under way today.

Unbeaten run
VfB Stuttgart extended their unbeaten sequence to eight Bundesliga games on Saturday by defeating BV Borussia Dortmund, although coach Matthias Sammer considers this "irrelevant" to their UEFA Cup prospects at KSK Beveren. "They have zero points on the board in this competition, the same as us," he said. Stuttgart are without injured trio Fernando Meira, Boris Živkovic and Marco Streller.

'Totally focused'
Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry is fit to return for Beveren, but a lack of match practice could see Mark Volders retain his place. Abdoulaye Djire and Mondakan Mahan are suspended, and Anouar Bou-Sfia and Constant Kipre injured. Coach Herman Helleputte, whose side lost at R. Charleroi SC on Sunday, said: "My players are totally focused, perhaps too much because in recent matches they have seemed to have their minds set on this one."

Goalkeeper confident
The Estádio da Luz stages the night's other fixture as SL Benfica take on SC Heerenveen. The Eagles relinquished their domestic unbeaten record when losing 1-0 at home to FC Porto on Sunday, while Heerenveen proved too strong for the champions of their country, winning 3-1 at AFC Ajax. "If we can beat Ajax at the ArenA then why can't we take care of Benfica as well?" said goalkeeper Brian Vandenbussche, who will play due to Boy Waterman's injury. Youssouf Hersi is suspended and Said Bakkati injured.

Benfica changes
Benfica coach Giovanni Trappatoni, who is unable to call on Eduardo Alcides, Mantorras and Carlitos through injury, "will probably start the game with two or three fresh players" against "a very organised side who are good on the counterattack". NK Dinamo Zagreb are not in action on Matchday 1.