The Uefa Cup starts to get serious this week with six former winners, eight teams on the rebound from the Champions League and a coach looking for an unprecedented third successive triumph all on display.

With the unappetising group phase now out of the way, the competition reverts to its more traditional format for the last 32 with the first legs of the straight knockout ties taking place today and tomorrow.

Spanish sides have dominated the competition in recent seasons with three triumphs in the last four years, but it is Germany who have the largest representation this season with five clubs still in the running.

Competition favourites and four-time European champions Bayern Munich take on Aberdeen in what looks to be a mismatch at Pittodrie tomorrow with Italy striker Luca Toni aiming to boost his Uefa Cup tally of six goals.

Bayern are riding high in the Bundesliga, while Aberdeen are coming off the back of two hidings at the hands of Celtic and Dundee United.

Another of the German contingent Bayer Leverkusen travel to Turkey to face Galatasaray tomorrow in a clash between two former winners of the competition, while Werder host Portuguese side Braga.

Two-time winners Tottenham make the trip to Slavia Prague tomorrow with manager Juande Ramos bidding to become the first manager to win the Uefa Cup three times in a row.

Ramos, who steered Sevilla to back-to-back victories in the last two editions, will have the advantage of having faced Slavia in this season's Champions League while he was still in charge of the Andalucian side.

Villarreal will lead the Spanish challenge when they meet Zenit St Petersburg in Russia tonight.

Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers host Greek league pace-setters Panathinaikos at Ibrox this evening.