BERLIN (AFP) - German league leaders Bayern Munich will be without four of their stars for Thursday night's first-leg UEFA Cup clash at Scottish side Aberdeen in the competition's first knock-out round.

With 32 teams still left in the UEFA Cup, Bayern and Aberdeen prepare to battle it out at Pittodrie on Thursday night with the second leg at Munich's Allianz Arena the following week.

But Bayern will be missing French hamstring victim Franck Ribery, midfielder Mark van Bommel who has a knee injury, as well as defender Daniel van Buyten and Willy Sagnol.

Belgian van Buyten is struggling with flu and Frenchman Sagnol has an injured knee.

With captain Oliver Kahn sitting out the trip to Scotland, reserve goalkeeper Michael Rensing may also miss out with a back injury giving third-choice goalkeeper Bernd Dreher a chance.

But Germany defender Marcell Jansen is expected to make his first appearance since November having shaken off an ankle injury.

Aberdeen were humbled 5-1 at home by Scottish giants Celtic on Sunday, while Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw by second-placed Werder Bremen in front of their own fans on the same day.