Victory over Anderlecht at the fortress of the Stade Constant Vanden Stock, coupled with reigning European kings Real Madrid taking at least a point off Lazio in Rome, will see Leeds through to the last eight from Group D.

United’s problem, however, is they will have to achieve what no other side have done for 21 matches - and that is beat the Belgian champions in their own back yard.

Anderlecht have won every home game since the end of last season, while in Europe their record in front of their own fans is a staggering nine successive victories - with Manchester United and Lazio among the notable scalps.

While Leeds have obviously shown their often more illustrious opponents respect in European football’s greatest club competition, the form book has at times been thrown out of the window.

No-one could have predicted the last-gasp home victory over AC Milan, the 6-0 Elland Road hiding of Besiktas, and coming within seconds of humbling Barcelona, all in the first group phase which culminated in a superb 1-1 draw with Milan at the San Siro.

The critics were left eating humble pie as Leeds earned qualification to the second stage in which they have beaten Lazio in Rome, before staging their superb fightback at home to Anderlecht last week, winning 2-1 after going a goal down.

So respect of traditions will not be in evidence tonight as Smith said: "We’ve been playing well in Europe, with some good away results, and the late, late win last week has really lifted us.

"Obviously, Anderlecht have some great players, and we still have to fear the front two (Jan Koller and Tomasz Radzinski) who have scored a lot of goals.

"They also showed they are a technically gifted side last week, although they are probably not as physical as a few other teams we’ve played.

"We’ve certainly come across better players away from home - names like Shevchenko, Bierhoff and Crespo spring to mind - and we have coped with them as well.

"So if we can go to Milan and get a result then I think all the lads are confident of doing the same in Brussels.

"We’ve had a few shock results and created a few headlines when maybe we shouldn’t have done, so hopefully we can do that again tomorrow as well."

With Robbie Keane ineligible having played for Inter in the competition at the start of the season, Smith again gets the nod up front alongside Mark Viduka.

Neither player, though, is on form as Smith has not scored since netting the winner against Lazio on December 5, while Australian international Viduka has now gone nine matches without a goal.

Smith refuses to let his own personal drought cloud his optimism, as he added:

"Every game is a bonus for me at the moment and I just can’t wait to get out there.

"It’s a European night and if you are not up for it, then you won’t be up for anything. All the lads are itching to go."

O’Leary, though, is only too aware of the enormity of the task which faces Leeds, but knows if his players display the grit and determination which saw them come back from the brink last week then a last eight place beckons.

"This is a great team and a great club with a fantastic home record," said O’Leary. "I have the height of admiration for Anderlecht.

"Although the game last week was scrappy, we showed fantastic character. That’s what has got us out of many different circumstances in this competition and that is what we will need to show again tonight."

Remarkably, Anderlecht coach Aime Anthuenis believes the game will prove more difficult for his side than against Manchester United in October when they achieved a shock 2-1 victory.

It is in stark contrast to his comments from last week when Anthuenis claimed after his side were beaten at Elland Road, that Leeds were a poor side.

The 57-year-old attempted to backtrack yesterday when he said: "This will be our most difficult Champions League game - tougher than against Manchester United.

"Everyone here said we could not beat Manchester United, but they all think we can win this one, therefore it’s more difficult. Most Belgian people have not seen Leeds at their best."

Harry Kewell is part of such a theory, with O’Leary poised to give the Australian wing wizard only his fourth start this season, and his first since embarking on his latest comeback from injury 11 days ago.

For Anthuenis, after watching Kewell’s introduction turn the game for Leeds last Tuesday, he now knows United have a player capable of inspiring Leeds to their latest against-the-odds success.

"With Kewell back Leeds bring some quality with them," added Anthuenis, who was then asked if he was scared of the Australia international.

"Scared is not a word I would use, but he did make a strong impression for the 30 minutes he was on."