Champions League matches in Group F

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

OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE v PORTO

Despite protestations to the contrary from coach Alain Perrin, Marseille have been buffeted by the furore over the loan signing of Fabien Barthez from Manchester United.

They were soundly beaten 4-1 by Racing Strasbourg at the weekend although goalkeeper Vedran Runje did not have a bad game.

Forward Mido and midfielder Stepan Vachousek were suspended against Strasbourg and return for this match but Brazilian forward Fernandao is out with a recurring ankle injury.

Former Barcelona sweeper Philippe Christanval could be in the squad for the first time after recovering from the injury which has sidelined him since his transfer in the close season.

Porto defender Ricardo Carvalho is doubtful after spraining his right knee in a weekend league match, but Pedro Emanuel is ready to step in.

Captain and defender Jorge Costa and South African striker Benny McCarthy return from injury after being rested at the weekend.

Porto went five points clear at the top of the Portuguese premier league on Sunday with a 4-1 win at Belenenses in which playmaker Deco showed more of the form which helped Porto win the UEFA Cup last season.

Probable teams:

Marseille: 1-Vedran Runje, 23-Habib Beye, 4-Daniel van Buyten, 12-Abdoullaye Meite, 21-Johnny Ecker, 20-Steve Marlet, 29-Fabio Celestini, 18-Camel Meriem, 14-Stepan Vachousek, 9-Mido, 11-Didier Drogba.

Porto: 99-Vitor Baia, 22-Paulo Ferreira, 2-Jorge Costa, 4-Ricardo Carvalho (or 5-Pedro Emanuel), 8-Nuno Valente, 18-Maniche, 6-Costinha, 10-Deco, 16-Cesar Peixoto, 77-Benni McCarthy, 11-Derlei.

Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece).

REAL MADRID v PARTIZAN BELGRADE

Real turned on the style to win 2-0 away to Celta Vigo at the weekend and coach Carlos Queiroz should be able to field the same line-up.

That will see David Beckham once again partnering Ivan Helguera in the centre of midfield, with Luis Figo taking the right wing berth and Zinedine Zidane the left.

Santiago Solari was Real's outstanding player in their 3-1 win away to Porto last time out in the Champions League but Beckham's return to fitness will likely see the Argentine returned to the bench as Real seek their third straight win in Europe.

Partizan coach Lothar Matthaeus has three defenders doubtful for the team's most difficult match yet in the Champions league.

Milivoje Cirkovic and Branimir Bajic are struggling with injuries sustained in the Serbia and Montenegro league, while Nigerian international Taribo West has been complaining of stomach problems.

Matthaeus will also be missing striker Andrija Delibasic, suspended after being sent off in the 3-0 defeat at Olympic Marseille, and first-choice goalkeeper Ivica Kralj who is still nursing a knee injury.

Probable teams:

Real Madrid: 1-Iker Casillas, 2-Michel Salgado, 22-Francisco Pavon, 15-Raul Bravo, 3-Roberto Carlos, 6-Ivan Helguera, 7-David Beckham, 10-Luis Figo, 5-Zinedine Zidane, 7-Raul, 9-Ronaldo.

Partizan: 1-Radovan Radakovic, 2-Milivoje Cirkovic (or 24-Branko Savic), 15-Nikola Malbasa, 14-Nenad Djordjevic, 16-Taribo West (or 7-Milan Stojanoski), 4-Igor Duljaj, 28-Albert Nadj, 26 Tomasz Rzasa (or 11-Damir Cakar), 22-Sasa Ilic (captain), 17-Ivica Iliev, 10-Ljubinko Drulovic.

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).