Champions League matches in Group E

Factbox on Wednesday's matches in Group E of the Champions League:

VfB STUTTGART v PANATHINAIKOS

Stuttgart, on a high since their 2-1 win over Manchester United in their previous Champions League outing, warmed up for Panathinaikos by extending their unbeaten Bundesliga run with a convincing 3-1 victory at Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Midfielder and captain Zvonimir Soldo, who was substituted on Saturday because of a bruised calf, should be fit to play. Coach Felix Magath should also welcome back defender Philipp Lahm, who was rested at the weekend.

Magath was expected to field exactly the same starting line-up as for the match against the English champions.

Panathinaikos, who have only one point from two games, have serious defensive problems being without suspended centre back Giannis Goumas, while Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Rene Henriksen are injured.

There are doubts over Romanian midfielder Lucian Sanmartean (influenza) and Cameroon winger Joel Epalle (thigh).

Panathinaikos suffered a morale sapping 2-1 defeat at unfancied Aegaleo on Saturday to slip to second in the league.

Probable teams:

Stuttgart: 1-Timo Hildebrand, 2-Andreas Hinkel, 6-Fernando Meira, 5-Marcelo Bordon, 21-Philipp Lahm, 20-Zvonimir Soldo, 8-Jurica Vranjes, 16-Horst Heldt, 15-Alexander Gleb, 22-Kevin Kuranyi, 19-Imre Szabics.

Panathinaikos: 1-Antonios Nikopolidis, 3-Nasief Morris, 30-Panagiotis Fyssas, 14-Raimondas Zutautas, 5-Giourkas Seitaridis, 27-Pantelis Konstantinidis, 20-Angelos Basinas, 35-Jan Michaelsen, 4-Silvio Maric, 11-Dimitrios Papadopoulos, 19-Michalis Konstantinou.

Referee: Paul Allaerts (Belgium).

RANGERS v MANCHESTER UNITED

Rangers are hampered by the continued absence of Dutch midfielder Ronald de Boer, who last week suffered a calf injury during his return to training after knee surgery in August.

Defender Robert Malcolm is also struggling to be fit with a twisted ankle but the Glasgow club are able to field a strong side.

Defenders Craig Moore and Fernando Ricksen returned from injury in Sunday's disappointing 1-1 league draw at Motherwell and both are expected to retain their places for the visit of the English champions.

United manager Alex Ferguson returns to his home city and former club for this first match of a Group E double-header and his team are desperate for points after losing 2-1 last time out in Stuttgart.

South African Quinton Fortune is doubtful after picking up a leg injury in the 1-0 premier league victory at Leeds United last weekend and is likely to be replaced by Irishman John O'Shea in defence.

Winger Ryan Giggs should be fit to return after missing the Leeds match through illness, while England's Nicky Butt could be brought in to strengthen the midfield. Probable teams:

Rangers: 1-Stefan Klos, 2-Fernando Ricksen, 3-Craig Moore 25-Henning Berg, 18-Michael Ball, 15-Zurab Khizanishvili, 23-Mikel Arteta, 4-Emerson, 7-Shota Arveladze, 10-Michael Mols, 26-Peter Lovenkrands.

Manchester United: 14-Tim Howard, 2-Gary Neville, 5-Rio Ferdinand, 27-Mikael Silvestre, 22-John O'Shea, 3-Phil Neville, 16-Roy Keane, 8-Nicky Butt, 18-Paul Scholes, 11-Ryan Giggs, 10-Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Referee: Anders Frisk (Sweden).