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Even though all four teams in UEFA Champions league Group C remain in contention for the qualifying places, the edge is with leaders AC Milan. The Rossoneriwill now be looking to extend their advantage over Olympique de Marseille, who are just a point behind, in third place.

Ronaldinho's penalty earned Milan a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at San Siro on Matchday 4 after Karim Benzema had put the visitors ahead. On the same night, Marseille struck goalscor ing form with a 6-1 demolition of FC Zürich, thereby throwing Group C wide open. Fabrice Abriel had one free-kick turned into an own goal for the first, while another flew in direct. After the visitors had pulled one back, Mamadou Niang struck. So did Hilton, Benoît Cheyrou and Brandão late on, for an emphatic victory.

A victory for AC Milan will assure them a place in the knockout rounds, but to achieve that they will have to guard against their recent home form in the UCL. Milan have drawn the last 4 games at the San Siro in Europe's premier club competition. But where Milan will give even the best of teams nightmares is in their front partnership of Pipo Inzaghi, Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho. Inzaghi's experience and deadly finishing ability combined with Pato's pace, skill and trickery have dismantled many a quality opposition, while Ronaldinho on his day can be a tormentor for even the best of defences. Marseille will also be looking to close down Andrea Pirlo as much as possible. After all, most of Milan's attacks originate from the right foot of this 30-year old Italian international. But if one has to pick a major weakness in the Milan side, it has to be the lack of good quality wingers to provide width and the ageing Massimo Ambrosini and Clarence Seedorf keeping Pirlo company.

The main problem for Marseille in this season's Champions League has been goals from their front men. Their top scorer is left back Gabriel Heinze who has scored only twice. Coach Didier Deschamps, who has won the Champions League before with Monaco, will be pinning his hopes on Mamadou Niang and the fit again Bakari Kone to ease their goal scoring worries. Marseille also have veteran Spanish striker Fernando Morientes on the bench who can definitely impact the game. With Real Madrid and AC Milan yet to play whipping boys FC Zurich in this group, a victory becomes even more crucial for Marseille if they harbour dreams of making the last 16.

Likely Teams:

AC Milan: Dida; Oddo, Thiago Silva, Nesta, Zambrotta; Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Pato, Inzaghi, Ronaldinho.
Marseille: Mandanda; Bonnart, Diawara, Heinze, Taiwo; Mbia, Cheyrou, Abriel; Valbuena, Brandao, Niang

Form Guide: AC Milan (Last 5 games in all competitions: W - 3, D - 2, L - 0)

AC Milan 4-3 Cagliari
Lazio 1-2 AC Milan
AC Milan 1-1 Real
AC Milan 2-0 Parma
Napoli 2-2 AC Milan

Form Guide: Marseille (Last 5 games in all competitions: W - 3, D - 2, L - 0)

Marseille 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain
Lyon 5-5 Marseille
Marseille 6-1 FC Zürich
Marseille 1-1 Toulouse
FC Zürich 0-1 Marseille

File Photograph Copyright: Barry Zee

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