Arsenal v Roma

Tuesday, Emirates Stadium, 7.45

Live, Setanta Ireland, 7.00; ITV, 7.30

Since Arsenal's last European deployment, the team's results and performances have deteriorated rapidly. They are not the side they once were, neither in terms of performance or the ability to put on a show. So with Andrey Arshavin not registered to play in Europe for the Gunners, it's difficult to see how a blunt Arsenal will open Roma up in either leg. As for the Italians, both their results and the quality of their football has improved immeasurably over the past few months, which is the right time to be hitting peak form. Over two legs, Totti and his mates should have more than enough to end the London club's European dreams.
Verdict scoreless draw

Atletico Madrid v Fc Porto

Tuesday, Vincente Calderon, 7.45

Live, Sky Sports Xtra, 7.30

This, after 12 years of underachievement, was supposed to be the season Atletico Madrid finally displayed that they have the same pedigree as Real Madrid and Barcelona. But, yet again, all we've seen are the same old problems. The once-promising Javier Aguirre is gone after a typically traumatic run of results and in his place comes Abel Resino, whose European clean-sheet record Edwin van der Sar took against Fulham. His underachieving squad have responded to him, but a solid side like Porto – who lest we forget topped Arsenal's group – should be capable of holding off Simao Sambrosa and Diego Forlan.

Verdict score draw

Lyon v Barcelona

Tuesday, Stade Gerland, 7.45

Live, Sky Sports 2, 7.00

The table-toppers from France take on their equivalents from Spain and on form their can only be one winner. Juande Ramos described this Barca side as the best in their history and some of their football this season has genuinely been of the fantasy variety. The dilemma for Claude Puel's Lyon is that if you do get a grip on Lionel Messi and, say, Thierry Henry, then that only leaves more space for Samuel Eto'o to work his stuff. And that's not to mention the ability of Daniel Alves, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and assorted others. Barca's football is a joy to watch and Lyon simply don't have the quality to stop their march to the last eight.

Verdict away win

Inter v Manchester United

Tuesday, San Siro, 7.45

Live, RTÉ Two, 7.00

For all the praise Alex Ferguson has received lately, one lingering question remains. Would United have so swiftly moved into the stratosphere without Roman Abramovich intruding on Jose Mourinho's intentions back around 2006? For even then, the current Inter manager retained a better head-to-head record. Now is Ferguson's chance to dispel such theories. But for all the anticipation leading up to this game, don't expect it to get too animated. This, after all, is a contest between the two most tactically astute coaches in the competition. United, as against Barca last year and particularly without Nemanja Vidic, will look to keep ball before counter-attacking while Inter will try wear that defence down. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are often criticised for failing to score in such games but with so little space on offer their improvisation could be key. Hard to see either side pulling away though. It's the Old Trafford game where this tie should really get tense.

Verdict score draw

Chelsea v Juventus

Wednesday, Stamford Bridge, 7.45

Live, Setanta Ireland, 7.00

You sense that the main reason Guus Hiddink is at Chelsea is because Roman Abramovich wants another crack at the European Cup after the heartbreak of last season's defeat in the final. But the Dutchman has his work cut out for him. This is a tricky tie against a Juventus side that contain a considerable threat, particularly for a Chelsea team getting used to a new formation. With the home leg first, the London side need to take a lead to Turin but it's a big ask.

Verdict home win

Real Madrid v Liverpool

Wednesday, Bernabeu, 7.45

Live, RTÉ Two, 7.00; Sky Sports 1, 7.30

Regardless of how infuriating Rafa Benitez may be in the league, this is where he proves his prowess. The Premier League manager with far and away the best Champions League record since 2004, he is undoubtedly a continental cup specialist. The thing is, with two Uefa Cups, so is Juande Ramos. Revealing his English experience to be no more than a blip with his revitalisation of Real Madrid – particularly that eight-game winning streak – he has conceded that the league is out of their hands so Europe is the priority. Not that they'll truly go for it though. Stripped of attackers with injury, Arjen Robben is the only true outlet from a newly solid base, and in that they mirror the Liverpool behind Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. Like at the San Siro, hard to see too much ground established before Anfield.

Verdict scoreless draw

Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich

Wednesday, Estadio Jose Alvalade, 7.45

Sporting aren't in the best of form right now. Just one victory in their last four games leaves them behind Porto and Benfica in their domestic league and it's difficult to see how they're going to overcome Jurgen Klinsmann's Bayern. The Germans might be trailing Hertha Berlin, Hamburg and Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga after a couple of recent blips but there seems to be a confidence within the club that Klinsmann's ways are being understood. Finally. Frank Ribery, for one, is in a rich vein of form and his ability alone might be enough. Like Roma and Juventus, a draw on Wednesday will set them up to finish the job at home.

Verdict score draw

Villarreal v Panathinaikos

Wednesday, El Madrigal, 7.45

Before you scoff at this game entirely, remember this is the Panathinaikos team that forced Inter to face United by leaving them second in the group. And they arrive at the Madrigal with a domestic defensive record not too far behind United's. In saying that, Villarreal were one of the few teams this season to go to Old Trafford and open the champions up and their passing game has been pleasing La Liga again. With Robert Pires and Guiseppe Rossi on form they should have enough to pierce that Panathinaikos defence.

Verdict Villarreal win