Benfica – Portugal

Nicknames: Águias, Encarnados

Last season: 2nd in the league, 21 points behind Porto. Semi-finals of Europa League. Winners of the League Cup.

This season: 3rd out of 16. 2 points behind the leaders.

Last season’s top scorers: Javier Saviola (9) and Óscar Cardozo (9).

European success: 2 European Cups (1961 and 1962).

Manager: Jorge Jesus. Played for Benfica. Began management in 1989. Left Braga for Benfica in 2009.

FC Basle – Switzerland

Nicknames: FCB, Bebbi, RotBlau

Last season: 1st in the league, 1 point clear of Zürich. Finished 3rd in CL group E, behind Roma and Bayern Munich. Winners of Uhren Cup.

This season: 8th out of 10. 8 points behind the leaders.

Last season’s top scorers: Alexander Frei (13) and Marco Streller (9).

European success: 2nd group stage of CL (2002).

Manager: Thorsten Fink. Played for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. Began management in 2007 with German side FC Ingolstadt 04. Joined FC Basle in 2009.

Otelul Galati – Romania

Nicknames: Oţelarii (Ironworkers)

Last season: 1st in the league, 4 points clear of Timişoara. Winners of Supercupa României.

This season: 5th out of 18.5 points behind the leaders.

Last season’s top scorers: Pena (8) and Antal (7)

European success: Erm, Balkans Cup (1992).

Manager: Dorinel Munteanu. Played for Wolfsburg. Played 134 games for Romanian national team. Began management in 2005 and has been in charge of Steaua Bucureşti.