Still in with a shout

Last year's beaten Cup finalists Werder Bremen were beaten by Dutch high-flyers Twente Enschede, but the 1-0 defeat sustained in the Netherlands does not represent an insurmountable deficit.

Theo Janssen's 30 meter strike six minutes before half-time is unlikely to be the deciding goal between Twente and Werder. Bremen are consistently one of the highest scoring teams in the Bundesliga, and cup competitions like the Europa League are their only realistic chance of silverware this season. A committed performance is to be expected - and a feast of goals in the Weserstadion next Thursday certainly can't be ruled out.

However, while hitting 44 goals so far this season in the Bundesliga, Werder's most devastating sprees have come away from home. Despite not being able to replicate that goal scoring prowess on their trip to Holland on Thursday, Bremen have a good record of overturning deficits in two-legged European ties - as Hamburg will attest to. Bremen recovered from a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the all-German semi-final of the Europa League last season to beat Hamburg 3-2 and go through on away goals.

FC Twente - coached by former England manager Steve McClaren - are second in the Dutch Eredivisie, just three points behind PSV Eindhoven. While their home form both domestically and in European competition has been impressive, Twente have been less consistent away from home - which will give Bremen hope of making the most of thier home advantage next week.

Hamburg likely to defend slender lead against PSV

Hamburg also faced Dutch opposition in their first leg on Thursday and this time the 1-0 scoreline was in the German team's favor. Marcell Jansen converted a first-half penalty to give Hamburg a home win over Dutch league leaders PSV on the night. While Werder Bremen may be expected to experience more joy in their home return leg, Hamburg will have their work cut out to protect their slender lead in Eindhoven.

Hamburg have been weak away from home in the Bundesliga, winning just four times on their travels. PSV - who remain unbeaten in the Eredivisie - will fancy their chances on home soil where they have consistently overwhelmed their opponents, scoring 30 goals and allowing just nine this season at the Philips Stadium.

Still, Hamburg have a stout defense and coped well with PSV's forwards, who threatened throughout the first leg but could not score. Moreover, the northern Germans have a key player who will feel more than a little at home in Eindhoven - former PSV striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. His cool finishing and intimacy with the environs - coupled with a 1-0 first-leg advantage - may be enough for Hamburg to advance.

Wolfsburg need Champions League form to beat Villareal

Faltering German champions Wolfsburg lost concentration in Spain to throw away a valuable away victory against Villareal, conceding a late equalizer in their first-leg match against the Yellow Submarine. But despite Marco Ruben's 85th minute goal that ended the match at 2-2, Grafite's two away goals for Wolfsburg will be worth their weight in gold in the second leg.

Wolfsburg, now under interim coach Lorenz-Guenther Koestner, are on a dreadful run. After Thursday night's draw in Spain, the Wolves are winless in their last 13 competitive matches. Even more ominous in relation to the return leg against Villareal next week is the fact that Wolfsburg have only won three matches at home all season.

However Villareal aren't having the best of domestic campaigns either, and have only won one match away from home. It's a tough one to call, but if Wolfsburg can keep their concentration and recover the form which took them to the verge of the Champions League knock-out stages, they should progress.

Hertha face tough task overcoming Benfica in Lisbon

The Europa League could still remain a distraction from the threat of relegation for Bundesliga bottom club Hertha Berlin, after their rugged 1-1 home draw with Benfica kept slim hopes of making the last 16 alive.

Despite not scoring a goal themselves - Hertha's 34th-minute equalizer came from an own goal by Javi Garcia - the capital club battled hard against the current Portuguese league leaders, and were unlucky not to snatch a win after a dominant second-half performance.

When put in the context of Benfica's run of form this season, Hertha's draw can be seen as a great result. The Lisbon club has been in free-scoring mood for much of the campaign - which will make the return leg in Portugal even more difficult for Berlin. It will take another robust performance - and a goal or two of their own - for Hertha to get the better of the tie.

Author: Nick Amies
Editor: Matt Hermann