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 The Brazilian was missing in Saturday's game 3-0 defeat of Recreativo Huelva after claiming he was tired following two games for the national side within the space of four days.

 Catalan media reports suggested that Ronaldinho had sensed that coach Frank Rijkaard was planning to leave him on the bench.

 Ronaldinho's regular absences and indolent displays have led to him losing his idol status at Camp Nou, with teenagers Bojan Krkic and Lionel Messi quickly filling the vacuum.

 Nonetheless, Ronaldinho will probably be first-choice in Lyon, especially since Thierry Henry will be missing due to a recurrent back problem.

 Barcelona, who lie three points above second-placed Glasgow Rangers in Group E, will be assured both qualification and first place either if they win or if they draw and the Scottish side fail to beat VfB Stuttgart in Germany.

 For Lyon, a victory will guarantee their continued interest in this season's competition, while a draw or worse would leave them at the mercy of Rangers' performance at Stuttgart. 

   The German champions, who have lost all four of their group games, are now only playing for pride.

 In Group H, Sevilla entertain already-qualified Arsenal in a match between the group's two top teams.

 Sevilla, on 9 points, are in poor heart after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to Mallorca, while Arsenal (10) continued their fine form at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 defeat of Wigan.

 Midfielder Alexander Hleb is out for the Gunners with a hamstring strain, Mathieu Flamini (thigh) and Abou Diaby (back) are severe doubts and Theo Walcott has also picked up a knock.

 Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano, in the best form of his career, should be fit, though defenders Javi Navarro, Julien Escude and Jose Crespo are all still injured, meaning that coach Manolo Jimenez will have to put together a patched-up rearguard once again.

 In the other group game, Romania's Steaua Bucharest need a victory over Czech outfit Slavia Prague to retain any chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup as third-placed team.

 Slavia, who are five points behind Sevilla, only have an outside chance of progressing in the Champions League.

 Group F leaders Manchester United are already assured of qualifying for the knock-out stage and will be seeking a fifth straight win when they entertain Portugal's Sporting Lisbon.

 Wayne Rooney is still out with an ankle injury, while Carlos Tevez could be rested after showing signs of fatigue.

 Centre-back Nemanja Vidic is a doubt after picking up a knock on international duty, and Cristiano Ronaldo may miss out with the thigh strain that kept him out of Saturday's 1-0 Premier League defeat at Bolton.

 Sporting need a positive result to keep in touch with second-placed Roma who could seal their place in the last 16 when they visit bottom side Dynamo Kiev, now out of contention.

 However captain Francesco Totti will miss the trip after failing to recover from a foot injury suffered in training.

 Also missing from Luciano Spalletti's side are midfielders Simone Perrotta and Alberto Aquilani, plus French defender Philippe Mexes, while Brazilian Rodrigo Taddei rejoins the squad after a long absence.

 Inter Milan and Fenerbahce, the two top sides in Group G, meet at the Giuseppe Meazza, giving the home side an opportunity to avenge a 1-0 defeat in Istanbul in the first match of the campaign.

 The Italian champions are likely to field Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz up front, although Cruz's Argentinian compatriot Hernan Crespo should be available despite back problems.

 After three successive wins, Inter lead the group on 9 points, one ahead of the Turkish champions, and five ahead of PSV Eindhoven who travel to CSKA Moscow.

 CSKA now have no chance of progressing in the Champions League but could still finish third in the group to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

DPA