Big 4 out to establish another year of English domination in Europe

MARCH 11 – Seven of the eight UEFA Champions League first knockout round ties are delicately poised ahead of the second leg this week, promising two tension-filled nights of action across the continent.

Three of the English quartet hold single-goal leads while the other, Manchester United, are involved in one of four ties which stand all square after the first games a fortnight ago. Only Bayern Munich, who won 5-0 at Sporting Lisbon, look all but assured of a place in the draw for the quarter and semi-finals.

But for most people, especially in Asia, all eyes will indeed be focused on how the English teams fare. After all, they have shown signs of dominating the cup in recent years.

Let’s look at the possibilities for the Big 4 from England this time around.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid

Rafa Benitez has to make a choice this week. Should he just forget about Liverpool’s virtually impossible English Premier League title bid and concentrate wholly on the Champions League? Or should he keep in mind Saturday’s EPL blockbuster against Manchester United?

The wise option would be the Champions League.

Five-time European champions Liverpool welcome nine-time winners Real Madrid CF to Anfield, with the one goal from Youssi Benayoun of Liverpool separating the two after the first leg.

Liverpool are a different animal in the Champions League compared with in the EPL. So, their EPL form cannot be taken into account here.

But while the Reds have drifted further from the pinnacle of the EPL, Real Madrid are back in the La Liga title race and that could boost their confidence.

Real Madrid, on their day, certainly have the power to end Liverpool’s hopes of a trophy but we haven’t seen them at their best in Europe in a very long time.

Liverpool will be pushed hard but their Kop end, who only “turn up” on these kind of nights, will surely lift Liverpool. The Reds will do enough at Anfield to make it through to the quarterfinals.

Juventus vs Chelsea

Chelsea  take a slender lead to play Juventus in Turin where the Bianconeri, coached by former Blues manager Claudio Ranieri have won 10 of their last 13 home matches in Europe's premier club competition.

Ranieri has already played up the tie, saying “they are the favourites but we count on our supporters”.

Boy, would he love to stick the knife into Roman Abramovich’s Champions League dream.

The Chelsea camp will be delighted to have Michael  Essien and Ricardo Carvalho back after being out of commission for six months and five weeks respectively.  Essien is the backbone of Chelsea’s midfield and without him they have clearly struggled.

Juventus will be missing defensive lynchpin Mohamed Sissoko. The Mali international was introduced at the weekend with only six minutes remaining to help shore things up but it proved a costly contribution.

Sissoko’s absence adds to coach Ranieri's woes as his midfield is already shorn of Mauro Camoranesi due to a fractured rib.

A couple of weeks back, I would have gone for Juventus to progress but Chelsea have taken great strides under Guus Hiddink. Chelsea may not win in Turin but my money is on them to progress.

AS Roma vs Arsenal

Arsenal will have the edge against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, thanks to Robin van Persie's penalty two weeks ago but will be hoping their first-leg profligacy does not prove costly.

Both these team have been performing at an equal level in their respective leagues, that is, inconsistently.

While Arsenal will come to this match having had a relatively easy tie in the FA Cup against Championship side Burnley on Sunday, Roma was made to slog for a draw against Udinese. However I don’t think that’ll affect Roma’s play.

The only question mark, as always, lies in Arsenal’s defence. If the strikers can pull through like they did against Burnley, I can see the Gunners going through with a draw or even a 1-2 loss.

Manchester United vs Inter Milan

Holders MU put their record 20-match unbeaten run in the competition and the trophy on the line when they play Inter Milan at Old Trafford with the tie locked at 0-0.

The biggest problem for Alex Ferguson is who to field. Carlos Tevez played brilliantly at the weekend with a two-goal haul. Surely it would be heartbreaking for the Argentinian were he to be asked to sit on the bench yet again.

It is not going to be an easy tie but Rio Ferdinand who is likely to captain United on Thursday is feeling confident that United will get the job done.

Jose Mourinho’s side are certainly short at the back. Marco Materazzi went off with a leg injury while Nicolas Burdisso took a knock over the weekend. Cristian Chivu and Walter Samuel are also struggling to be fit for Wednesday's last-16 second leg in Manchester.

Inter’s weakness at the back, compounded by having Esteban Cambiasso as a makeshift centre back, could be exploited by MU’s on-fire attack.

Still, one never knows with the Special One. Inter just need the score draw to go through, and having done the feat once with Porto back in 2004, he might yet be able to pull off another great result over Fergie in Europe.

I will go for broke again, in predicting that MU, with Liverpool on their minds this weekend, are likely to capitulate to Mourinho’s men for a second time in Europe.

Could we see another famous Mourinho run down the touchline at Old Trafford like we did five years ago? I certainly hope so.