Hamburg - AC Milan may not be firing on all cylinders just yet in the Serie A but the seven-time European champions can secure their passage to the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup with a victory Thursday over English Premier League side Portsmouth.

The Italian giants dropped three points behind league leaders Inter Milan at the weekend after a disappointing 2-2 draw with Torino but at least saw Brazilians Pato and Ronaldinho got on the scoresheet and also welcomed back playmaker Andrea Pirlo.

Carlo Ancelotti's team celebrated victories against Heerenveen and Braga in their opening two Group E matches and even a defeat against the FA Cup holders would not be fatal as three of the five clubs advance from each group.

"I also know Portsmouth are a very good team and I have seen some of their individual players too," said Clarence Seedorf.

"I have played against Sol Campbell since youth level and he is a very good defender."

Also in Group E, VfL Wolfsburg face Braga without striker Grafite, who fractured a bone in his skull in a training-ground collision.

Manchester City travel to Germany to take on Schalke 04 in a Group A encounter full of confidence after a 3-0 demolition of Arsenal at the weekend.

However coach Mark Hughes could be without Robinho and Pablo Zabaleta as both face late fitness tests to assess if they can travel to Germany.

City beat FC Twente in their opening match while Schalke defeated Paris Saint Germain 3-1 and drew 1-1 at Real Racing Club.

"We want three points," said Schalke's Halil Altintop. "They will have to adapt to us, not us to them."

German police are on full alert ahead of the visit of up to 7,000 Ajax Amsterdam fans for the Group F match against SV Hamburg - ameeting of former European champions.

"We expect 700 problem fans from Amsterdam, but not hooligans, who would be another level higher," said police spokesman Ralf Meyer.

Meanwhile, Hamburg coach said that while he wouldn't be underestimating Ajax simply because they are currently third in the Dutch league a win was well within his team's grasp.

"Ajax is a big club name but we are playing at home and want to book our place in the knockout phase," said Jol, whose team won their opening match away to Zilina.

VfB Stuttgart face Sampdoria in Group C with new coach Markus Babbel at the helm following the dismissal of Armin Veh in the wake of the 4-1 loss to Wolfsburg, a result that stretched the club's winless streak in the Bundesliga to five matches.

"I want to see a team on the pitch that puts up a fight," said Babbel. "Our opponent should feel that they are up against a team that stands its ground and no matter what wants the three points."

Harry Redknapp is likely to be without Alan Hutton for Tottenham Hotspur's clash against NEC Nijmegen in Group D as the Scotland international has an injured foot.

Cup-tied Roman Pavlyuchenko will also be missing as will playmaker Luka Modric, who has a groin problem.

In other action, Valencia face Rosenborg in Group G looking to banish the memory of two Champions League group match losses against the Norwegians last season while, in Group H, Deportivo La Coruna welcome Feyenoord Rotterdam.

In Group B, Galatasaray face Metalist Kharkiv knowing a win will see them into the next phase while Olympiakos entertain Benfica.