Barcelona and AC Milan resume their heavyweight clash for control of the Champions League Group F with the Italian side ahead on points after their narrow 1-0 victory in the San Siro two weeks ago.

Barca, who recorded emphatic wins over Celtic and Shakhtar Donetsk in their opening two games, know that a second defeat against the six-times European champions could complicate qualification for the knockout stages of the competition.

Milan may have been less impressive in their first three matches, but they are heading to the Nou Camp in the knowledge that with nine points already in the bag they have little to lose against the Catalans.

"Experience tells us it's better to qualify as quickly as possible," said Milan captain Paolo Maldini.

"It will be a great match, but we've got to seize this opportunity so that the next two matches don't count," agreed coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who has been in outstanding form so far this season, believes his team will have to be at their very best if they are to wrestle the group leadership from the Italian giants.

"We are going to have to be on guard because Milan are certain to be coming here for the win," he said.

"They've got so many quality players and all of them are capable of deciding a game. They've also got that special winning mentality that makes them so strong."

Barca remain unbeaten and six points clear of the chasing pack in the Spanish Primera Liga despite being held for only the second time this season when they drew 1-1 in a pulsating encounter at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

INJURY CONCERNS

But the early season euphoria has been dampened a little by an embarrassing first-round exit in the King's Cup at the hands of third division Gramenet in midweek and by continued concerns over injuries.

Midfielder Thiago Motta and defenders Edmilson and Gabri are all out for the rest of the season, left-back Silvinho is still struggling with a knee problem and right-back Juliano Belletti will be a doubt until the last minute because of an Achilles' tendon injury.

The good news for coach and former Milan player Frank Rijkaard is the form of African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o who notched his eighth league goal of the season with another sharp strike in the draw at Bilbao.

A fascinating duel is in prospect between the Cameroon international and Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko, who decided the match at the San Siro with a trademark header and scored his side's winner against Sampdoria at the weekend.

It was the Ukraine international, of course, who put an end to Barca's Champions League ambitions in 1997 when he scored a devastating first-half hat-trick to lead former club Dynamo Kiev to a crushing 4-0 victory at the Nou Camp.

In the absence of teammate Filippo Inzaghi, who is plagued with a recurrent ankle injury, Shevchenko is expected to continue his productive partnership with Danish international Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Milan's only slight worry is at the back. Jaap Stam is still out with an ankle problem, while the injured Billy Costacurta should be replaced by Kakha Kaladze.

Probable teams:

Barcelona: 1-Victor Valdes, 32-Damia or 2-Juliano Belletti, 5-Carles Puyol, 23-Oleguer, 12-Giovanni van Bronckhorst, 4-Rafael Marquez, 8-Ludovic Giuly or 7-Henrik Larsson, 20-Deco, 6-Xavi, 10-Ronaldinho, 9-Samuel Eto'o

AC Milan: 1-Dida; 2-Cafu, 13-Alessandro Nesta, 3-Paolo Maldini, 4-Kakha Kaladze; 8-Gennaro Gattuso, 21-Andrea Pirlo, 20-Clarence Seedorf; 22-Kaka; 15-Jon Dahl Tomasson, 7-Andriy Shevchenko

Referee: Urs Meier (Switzerland)