Second in the group and a swift return to France for conquering national heroes Barry Ferguson, David Weir and Lee McCulloch . . .heck, you'd forgive Rangers fans a nosebleed as they dream of new heights. The team should come back with a bloody nose alright, but not in the way intended. Lyon have steadied themselves after a wobbly start to the season and should be able to stand up long enough.

Verdict home win

STUTTGART v BARCELONA
Tuesday, Gottlieb Daimler, 7.45 Live, Setanta 1

Barca were hailed as being 'back to their best' about once every three weeks last season only for one of the fantasticos to then throw a strop.

Wednesday's demolition of Zaragoza invited similar headlines. Still, with Leo Messi in form they should win.

Verdict away win

GROUP F

MANCHESTER UNITED v ROMA
Tuesday, Old Trafford, 7.45 Live, RTE 2, UTV

As Roma players walk out don't be surprised at a re-enactment of that scene in A Clockwork Orange where our Alex collapses after the Ludovico Treatment . . . only to the tune of 'Zadok the Priest', the Champions League anthem, rather than Beethoven's ninth, such was the trauma last season. Whether they fall apart or not, United to go about their business in the professional manner they've made a habit of.

Verdict home win

DYNAMO KYIV v SPORTING
Tuesday, Olympiskiy Stadium, 7.45
Verdict home win

GROUP G
INTER v PSV Tuesday, San Siro, 7.45

Verdict home win

CSKA MOSCOW v FENERBAHCE

Tuesday, Lokomotov Stadium, 5.30

Verdict draw

GROUP H

STEAUA BUCHAREST v ARSENAL
Tuesday, Steau Stadium, 7.45 Live, Setanta Ireland

Can things go any smoother for Arsenal? Well, Steau have just sacked their boss Gheorge Hagi and are in something of an Avram Grantlike state. So, yes.

Verdict home win

SEVILLA v SLAVIA
Tuesday, Sanchez Pizjuan, 7.45 Verdict home win

GROUP A

LIVERPOOL v MARSEILLE
Wednesday, Anfield, 7.45 Live, Setanta Ireland

Some unhappy homecomings as Djibril Cisse and Boudewijn Zenden return to Anfield to no doubt be frustratingly harried and get a fleeting touch of the ball once every 20 minutes. One thing Rafa Benitez is supremely efficient at is having his sides suffocate European opposition at home and a Marseille hobbling through Ligue Un, and having just swapped Alain Perrin for Eric Gerets as manager, shouldn't change that.

Whatever team Benitez puts out.

Verdict home win

BESIKTAS v FC PORTO
Wednesday, Inonu, 7.45 Verdict draw

GROUP B
VALENCIA v CHELSEA
Wednesday, Mestalla, 7.45 Live, Setanta 1

A fixture that offers an all too immediate and poignant reminder of what Chelsea fans are missing.

This tie last year exemplifled the character Jose Mourinho instilled . . .exhibit A, Michael Essien's injurytime winner . . . while this opposition have perfected his mechanical, relentless style of play. And with Baron Silas Greenback . . . aka Avram Grant . . . offering little suggestion he can raise spirits against a team that's not Hull, a David Villa-led Valencia should grind them down.

Verdict home win

ROSENBORG v SCHALKE
Wednesday, Lerkendal, 7.45
Verdict draw

GROUP C

LAZIO v REAL MADRID
Wednesday, Stadio Olimpico, 7.45
Verdict draw

WERDER BREMEN v OLYMPIAKOS
Wednesday, Weserstadion, 7.45
Verdict home win

GROUP D

CELTIC vMILAN
Wednesday, Celtic Park, 7.45 Live, RTE 2
Something of a must-not-lose already for Celtic after succumbing to Shakthar so meekly and, of course, it being a big game at Celtic Park, that home record gets spouted in hope. One record not so repeated is that Milan have never lost here, or indeed to Celtic full-stop. As such, Gordon Strachan's side will have to up their game considerably to get that point they need at least. With form in these encounters, they should doggedly prevail.

Verdict draw BENFICA v SHAKHTAR Wednesday, Stadio da Luz, 7.45 Verdict home win