The top three from each group will go onto the next stage, where they will be joined by the eight third-place finishers in the Champions League when the marathon revamped version of the competition resumes as a knockout tournament.

The final is set for Lisbon on May 18, but that's a long way off for the mixed bag still involved.

Athens will be on high-alert as north-east English rivals Newcastle and Middlesbrough both play on the same night in the city with Graeme Souness's Magpies face Panionios in Group D while Boro face Egaleo in Group E.

However, Newcastle's build-up has been overshadowed by a slanging match between manager Graeme Souness and Craig Bellamy after the Welsh striker fired a volley of abuse at the Scot when he was substituted during the 1-1 draw at Charlton on Sunday.

"I'm angry about it and the reason I'm angry about it is because we're talking about it," said Souness.

"It's a fact that that is not helpful for us preparing for football matches - people going out and getting into trouble with the police, people getting their name in the newspaper for the wrong things don't help us achieve what we want to achieve, and that is to be successful here, to try to win something here, so it's going to be addressed."

Panionios are enduring a miserable time in the Greek league where they stand in 13th place in the 16-team league but do have the advantage of having knocked out Italy's Udinese in the last round.

Ray Parlour will be aiming to use his years of European experience from his Arsenal days to help Middlesbrough through their group which also includes favourites Lazio.

"I think the group stage is a good idea and, if we play well, we must have a chance of coming through it," said Parlour.

"I've played in Greece before and I know that it is a different atmosphere. I went to Panathinaikos with Arsenal and it was a very difficult night. In fact we lost it 1-0.

"The atmosphere was very hostile, and the fans were letting off fireworks, so there was a lot to deal with."

Belgian coach Stephane Demol believes that the team can get a positive result even though, as he said, two players in the British team (Viduka and Mendieta) "make as much money and more as our entire team."

Glasgow Rangers, who were knocked out of the Champions League in the qualifying round, face a difficult trip to Poland to face Amica Wronki in Group F.

Rangers assistant boss Andy Watson insists it would be foolish to underestimate the threat of Amica after the Scots struggled to beat Maritimo in the previous round.

"They won the game 2-1 last Saturday against Wisla Plock," said Watson.

"Amica Wronki did well in the game. They played an attack-minded team and it was their two strikers - Jacek Dembinski and Pawel Kryzstalowicz - who scored the goals.

"Kryzstalowicz, who is their captain, looked very good in the game."

Amongst other big ties on Thursday are Hearts at Feyenoord, Parma at Athletic Bilbao and Benfica against Heerenveen.