UEFA Cup: Steve McClaren admits he has picked the brains of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as Middlesbrough look to book their place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Benitez proved he was no sore loser following his side's 2-0 defeat by Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Saturday by offering Boro boss McClaren insider information on tonight's UEFA Cup opponents Villarreal.

Middlesbrough, currently top of Group E after winning their opening two matches, need a point at the El Madrigal Stadium to virtually guarantee themselves a top-three finish and a place in the next knockout phase.

But the Primera Liga side who, for the second season running reached the UEFA Cup via the InterToto Cup, have proven to be formidable opposition on home soil this season.

Prior to their 2-0 weekend defeat by Deportivo La Coruna, Villarreal had not conceded a goal in 10 previous home matches in all competitions. Former Valencia manager Benitez, though, may have offered McClaren a key to unlocking the defence of a Villarreal team which last season reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup.

"We have seen videos and I spoke to Benitez on Saturday who gave me a good insight into them. It was an informative discussion. He obviously knows Spanish football very well, and Villarreal well, so he gave me the lowdown and told me to expect a difficult game," said McClaren, who has also been primed by winger Gaizka Mendieta, out for the season through injury.

Villareal v Middlesbrough El Madrigal, 8.0 (Channel 5)

Group E

P W D L F A Pts

Middlesbrough 2 2 0 0 3 0 6

Partisan Belgrade 1 1 0 0 4 0 3

Villareal 1 0 1 0 1 1 1

Lazio 2 0 1 1 1 3 1

Aigaleo 2 0 0 2 0 5 0