DPA/Berlin

Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund seek victories in the Europa League today which would also boost their morale for crucial league matches on the weekend.
The Reds host Swiss Group B leaders Sion at Anfield after drawing 1-1 at French side Girondins Bordeaux in their opener.
Dortmund travel to Greek side PAOK Salonica coming off a 2-1 against Krasnodar, and a second victory in Group C would give them an early advantage towards the knock-out stages.
The continental duties set the stage for their next domestic tasks on Sunday in which Liverpool are at crosstown rivals Everton for the latest Merseyside derby while Dortmund travel to Bayern Munich for a Bundesliga topper.
Former Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp has been repeatedly linked with the Anfield job but manager Brendan Rodgers got a much needed breather on Saturday when Liverpool beat lowly Aston Villa 3-2 to move into the top half of the Premier League.
Now Sion come to Anfield after winning their opener 2-1 against Rubin Kazan, Liverpool’s first home on the continent since being dumped out of the Champions League by another Swiss side, Basel, 10 months ago.
“That’s what comes with playing for a big club,” midfielder James Milner told the club’s website. “There’s always going to be that spotlight and pressure.
“It’s important that we keep that level mindset and concentrate on our business. Everyone wants to play for big clubs and have that pressure.”
Dortmund travel to Salonica in the wake of two straight Bundesliga draws which has slowed down a great start into the season although they are still unbeaten in all competitions in now 13 games.
Coach Thomas Tuchel refuses to think about the important Munich date until after Thursday’s game as he tries to regroup his team after they swallowed a last-minute 2-2 equalizer against promoted Darmstadt in the Bundesliga.
“We must put this behind us and come to terms with it, and prepare fully concentrated for Thursday,” Tuchel said. “Only after that we will be available for questions around Bayern.”
Also in action are the surprise league leaders from Italy and Spain, Fiorentina and Villarreal.
Fiorentina were upset 2-1 by Basel in their Group I opener but morale is running high ahead of a trip to Portugal’s Belenensis after they dethroned Inter Milan at the top of the Serie A by beating them 4-1.
But they are not getting carried away either, with Spanish defender Marcos Alonso saying: “The media talk about the title more than we do in the changing room. We think game by game. Now we play a very important game in Portugal.”
Fiorentina’s Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa could field recovering striker Giuseppe Rossi, who missed the entire 2014-15 season and appeared twice in the six games of the current one.
Villarreal also lost their first game on the continent, 2-1 at Rapid Vienna, and aim to make amends against Group E leaders Viktoria Plzen.
The Yellows are flying high as a 1-0 victory over 2014 champions Atletico Madrid, and slip-ups by Barcelona and Real Madrid, put them top of La Liga.
Three points are also required Thursday as coach Marcelino Garcia said that “if we do not win then it will be difficult to qualify from this group. It is that simple.”
Elsewhere, Group L leaders Athletic Bilbao visit Dutch side Alkmaar, Dortmund’s bitter German rivals and Group L leaders Schalke also face Greek opposition in Asteras Tripolis, Group F leaders Olympique Marseille take on Slovan Liberec while English Group J leaders Tottenham are at Monaco after a 3-1 opener against minnows Qarabag.
A 4-1 demolition of then league leaders Manchester City has added to the confidence but defender Ben Davies is aware of the difficult task at last season’s Champions League quarter-finalists Monaco.
“There are lots of good teams involved including Monaco and if we want to progress, we have to go out and do well against them,” he said.

Key Fixtures (GMT)
Group A (19:05)
Celtic (SCO) v Fenerbahce (TUR)  
 
Group B (19:05)
Liverpool (ENG) v FC Sion (SUI)
 
Group C (19:05)
PAOK Salonika (GRE) V Borussia Dortmund (GER)

Group D (19:05)
Legia Warsaw (POL) v Napoli (ITA)

Group G (17:00)
Lazio (ITA) v Saint-Etienne (FRA)
 
Group J (17:00)
Monaco (FRA) v Tottenham (ENG)
 
Group L (17:00)
AZ Alkmaar (NED) v Athletic Bilbao (ESP)