Five quarter-final spots up for grabs in Champions League
The five remaining quarter-final places in the Champions League will be decided this week, with some of Europe's biggest clubs facing a costly exit from the competition.
The five remaining quarter-final places in the Champions League will be decided this week, with some of Europe's biggest clubs facing a costly exit from the competition.
A thrilling two days of action is in store on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan and Arsenal, to name but four, hoping to seal last-eight places.
Only three teams -- Barcelona in Group A, AC Milan in Group C and Manchester United in Group D -- have managed to secure quarter-final berths before the last round of games in the second group phase.
All three have also ensured they will finish top of their respective groups, meaning they will avoid each other in the quarter-finals, and will have the supposed advantage of playing the second leg at home.
The only group where nothing has been decided, and where all four teams are still in contention, is Group B.
Ajax Amsterdam (7 points), Arsenal (7), Valencia (6) and AS Roma (4) all entertain hopes of progressing.
Arsenal, reeling after a shock defeat at Blackburn in the premier league on Saturday, visit 2000 and 2001 runners-up Valencia, who lost 1-0 to Athletic Bilbao, in their final match on Wednesday while Ajax travel to Rome.
UEFA's complex criteria for separating teams level on points -- head-to-head records count before goal difference -- mean the permutations are almost endless.
Valencia, who eliminated Arsenal from the quarter-finals two seasons ago, and Roma have to win to stand any chance of thwarting Arsenal and Ajax. The latter two need a win or a draw to progress, but could also advance if they lose and other results go their way.
Holders Real Madrid, seeking a record 10th triumph in the competition, will claim the runners-up spot in Group C behind Milan if they win as expected at already eliminated Lokomotiv Moscow on Tuesday.
But any other result could let in Borussia Dortmund, the 1997 champions, who travel to the San Siro to face Milan. The German club have seven points to Real's eight, although Real have the edge in their head-to-head matches.
Group D is also a two-horse race, although Juventus (7) are strong favourites to finish second ahead of surprise Swiss side Basel (4).
Basel will have to beat the Italians 4-0 or a by a five-goal margin in Switzerland on Tuesday to go through, so long as Deportivo do not beat Manchester United in the night's other game.
If Deportivo and Basel win, the group will be decided by a three-way, head-to-head comparison between them and Juventus which the Italians will win.
Two teams -- Inter Milan (8) and Newcastle (7) -- are jostling for second spot behind Barcelona in Group A, with the Italian club again favourites.
Inter, who have the better head-to-head record, will seal their place in the last eight if they win at Bayer Leverkusen, who have lost five out of five so far, on Wednesday.
But anything less could open the door for in-form Newcastle, who will play Barcelona in what should be a rollicking atmosphere at St James' Park.