In-form Sevilla begin UEFA title defence without injured Fabiano

SEVILLA open the defence of their UEFA Cup crown with a trip to Athens tonight and a meeting with Atromitos.

Juande Ramos’ men were emphatic 4-0 winners against Middlesbrough in last season’s final and the confidence gleaned from that victory in Eindhoven has carried over into the new campaign.

The Andalucians currently top the Primera Liga after convincing wins in their opening two matches and they also clinched the UEFA Super Cup by hammering European and Spanish champions Barcelona 3-0 in Monaco.

They will have to do without Brazilian Luis Fabiano for the match in Greece, however. The striker strained a calf muscle in training on Tuesday and has been ruled out for at least four days.

There are three more Spanish clubs in UEFA Cup action tonight — Osasuna, Celta Vigo and Espanyol.

Osasuna drop into Europe’s second-tier competition after being beaten in Champions League qualifying by Hamburg, and take on Trabzonspor – a match which will take place behind closed doors after Turkish fans were involved in crowd trouble in the second round tie against Cypriot side APOEL — while Celta go to Standard Liege.

Espanyol, who qualified by virtue of winning the Spanish Cup last season, visit Artmedia Bratislava without key midfielders Ivan de la Pena and Fredson Camara.

The French challenge is led by Ligue 1 joint leaders Marseille, who host Mlada Boleslav at the Stade Velodrome.

Auxerre go to Dinamo Zagreb and Nancy face a tough assignment away at German giants Schalke.

Lens midfielder Olivier Thomert is sidelined for the clash with Cypriot outfit Ethnikos Achnas due to a thigh injury.

Bayer Leverkusen go to Sion, Eintracht Frankfurt host Brondby and Hertha Berlin take on OB in the German capital.

Palermo were thrilling 4-3 winners over Reggina on the opening day of the new Serie A season and the Sicilians will now take part in one of the ties of the round against West Ham.

The east-London club are likely to field new signings Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano while Palermo coach Francesco Guidolin could recall Andrea Caracciolo.

The Italian striker was rested on Sunday but has declared himself fired up for the trip to England.

“The UEFA Cup is the chance for me to launch my season,” he said. “It will be up to me to demonstrate my worth to this squad.”

He should take the place of Brazilian striker Amauri, a signing from Chievo, who has not been named in Guidolin’s 20-man squad for the trip.

Samuel Kuffour is available for Livorno’s tie against Pasching, but his place in the starting XI is far from certain.

The Ghanaian’s debut for the club in Serie A at the weekend was overshadowed by an elbowing incident on his former team-mate Christian Panucci of Roma.

Kuffour was banned for three matches but Livorno coach Daniele Arrigoni may leave him out anyway as further punishment for his actions.

The fourth Italian side in action tonight is Chievo, who go to Braga. Elsewhere, Newcastle go to Levadia, Start host Ajax, Feyenoord visit Loko Sofia, Blackburn take on Salzburg and Slavia meet Tottenham.