Champions League matches in Group H
Team news and probable line-ups for Wednesday's Champions League matches in Group H:
Team news and probable line-ups for Wednesday's Champions League matches in Group H:
AJAX AMSTERDAM v AC MILAN
Brazilian defender Maxwell is doubtful for Ajax against the Italians after twisting his knee in the final minutes of Saturday's 3-1 league win over Heerenveen.
Skipper Rafael van der Vaart and Czech international Zdenek Grygera are both suspended and John O'Brien, Steven Pienaar, Hatem Trabelsi and Jelle van Damme are all carrying injuries.
The speedy recovery from a thigh injury of Milan captain Paolo Maldini has boosted the holders. Maldini's regular partner in central defence, Alessandro Nesta, is suspended and should be replaced by Alessandro Costacurta.
Up front, 21-year-old Brazilian playmaker Kaka was rested at the weekend and looks set to start behind strikers Andriy Shevchenko and Filippo Inzaghi.
Probable teams:
Ajax: 1-Bogdan Lobont, 13-John Heitinga, 3-Petri Pasanen, 4-Julien Escude, 22-Akubakari Yakubu, 16-Nigel De Jong, 6-Tomas Galasek, 18-Wesley Sneijder, 29-Nicolae Mitea, 19-Wesley Sonck, 9-Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Milan: 12-Dida, 2-Cafu, 19-Alessandro Costacurta, 3-Paolo Maldini, 26-Giuseppe Pancaro, 8-Gennaro Gattuso, 21-Andrea Pirlo, 20-Clarence Seedorf, 22-Kaka; 7-Andriy Shevchenko, 9-Filippo Inzaghi.
Referee: Urs Meier (Switzerland).
CELTA VIGO v BRUGES
Alarm bells are ringing at Celta after a 2-0 league defeat at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday left them hovering above the relegation zone and they will need to turn in a much improved performance against Bruges.
Defender Juan Velasco and Brazilian forward Edu are still long-term injured so coach Miguel Angel Lotina is likely to keep faith with the core of the team which beat Ajax 3-2 last time out.
Russian midfielder Alexander Mostovoi, who was left on the bench on Sunday after arriving late from international duty last week, should return to the starting line-up, and Gustavo Lopez may be used on the left wing.
Bruges are struggling with their domestic form, with three defeats in their last four games, and a lengthening injury list. Peruvian forward Andres Mendoza, who is nursing a stomach muscle injury, and Romanian midfielder Alin Stoica are both out.
At the back, central defender Birger Maertens is a major doubt with a heel problem and leftback Peter Van Der Heyden is battling a bout of 'flu.
Probable teams:
Celta: 13-Jose Manuel Pinto, 8-Angel, 23-Sergio, 4-Fernando Caceres, 3-Silvinho, 20-Jesuli, 22-Peter Luccin, 7-Vagner, 14-Juanfran (or 11-Gustavo Lopez), 10-Alexander Mostovoi, 9-Savo Milosevic.
Bruges: 1-Danny Verlinden, 2-Olivier De Cock, 3-Timmy Simons, 4-David Rozenhal, 5-Peter Van Der Heyden, 8-Gaetan Englebert, 6-Philippe Clement, 17-Ivan Gvozdenovic, 7-Gert Verheyen, 19-Rune Lange, 8-Bengt Saeternes.
Referee: Eric Poulat (France).