United certainly looked the part in the league at the weekend, thrashing Wimbledon 5-1 to go second in the English Premiership. And the Red Devils might have been tempted to regard upcoming opponents Brondby as a Danish equivalent of the dons.

But things are not quite working out as expected in the group of death and the United camp know all about Brondby's capabilities following the Scandinavians' shock opening win over Bayern Munich.

United let slip a two-goal lead in their opening match against Barcelona at Old Trafford and then suffered a late Bayern equaliser in Munich last month to leave themselves with work to do.

However, they do have a spy with knowledge of the Danish camp as 'keeper Peter Schmeichel used to play for Brondby. The blond giant has been out for three weeks with a stomachmuscle strain but said yesterday he was ready to play.

``I trained on Sunday and I feel fine. I am 100 per cent sure that I will be in goal on Wednesday,'' said the 34-year-old Dane.

United will still have to rotate their huge squad as England men Nicky Butt and David Beckham are suspended. Denis Irwin is doubtful with a heel injury and Ronny Johnsen is ruled out with an ankle ligament problem.

The importance of three points cannot be underestimated for United, who have been chasing the trophy for 30 years, because if Barcelona fail to win in Munich, Alex Ferguson's men will go top.

Barcelona are without ineligible Dutch forward Patrick Kluivert, whose place goes to Mario Alberto Rosas. Bayern hope Markus Babbel and Thomas Helmer can shake off injuries to make the starting line-up and bolster a defence that will be lacking the suspended Lothar Matthaeus.

Juventus, beaten in the last two finals, travel to play Athletic Bilbao, looking for their own first win, and the San Mames stadium, with itsear-shattering noise levels, will not be an easy place to get it in front of 40,000 Basque fans.

Juve striker Alessandro Del Piero admits that it's win-or-bust now after draws against Galatasaray and Rosenborg. ``This match is going to be virtually a decider. It's not quite a question of either being in or out of the competition -- but almost,'' Del Piero warned his team-mates.

Tomorrow's game will be a special one for France's World Cup-winning captain Didier Deschamps, a Basque from Bayonne. ``We absolutely have to win this one if we are going to get anywhere in the Champions League,'' he said.

Bilbao coach Luis Fernandez promises his men will attack as they have nothing to lose following defeat at Galatasaray. Defender Rafael Alkorta and mid-fielders Bittor Alkiza and Josu Urrutia all return to the squad following injury.

Reigning champions Real Madrid, stunned by a loss at Spartak Moscow which virtually negated the good work of their opening win over Inter Milan, face Group C tailenders Sturm Grazof Austria.

The Spaniards must now come from behind as Spartak are looking good after two wins in two games.

Real will face the Austrians without Fernando Redondo and Christian Panucci, missing with thigh and knee injuries. But Croatian mid-fielder Robert Jarni is fit for the Spanish League leaders.

Inter Milan, meanwhile, hope to welcome back Brazilian ace Ronaldo, out for a month with knee problems, to face Spartak at San Siro.

``I am in the squad so it's possible I'll play. I feel much better now but I don't know if I'll last the 90 minutes,'' the Brazilian sharpshooter said.

Inter will be without Roberto Baggio, who is yet to recover from knee tendon trouble of his own. Arsenal continue their Group E campaign against Dynamo Kiev at Wembley but will do so without French mid-fielder Patrick Vieria, who is suspended after two bookings.

Compatriot Emmanuel Petit will almost certainly have to sit it out owing to a hamstring injury he collected playing for France in Russia last week. Stephen Hughesis likely to deputise for Petit and Remi Garde could come in for Vieira.