4th March: UEFA Champions League (Part 2)

AC Milan vs. Arsenal
San Siro
Tuesday 4th March, 19.45.

This promises to be one of the most intriguing ties of the round, and both teams will go into the game knowing that one goal could prove vital in a tie that is delicately poised at 0-0. Despite a recent blip during which they suffered a crushing 4-0 Cup reverse at Old Trafford, and dropped vital points in the Premiership title race - most recently against Aston Villa, where a late Bendtner goal salvaged a point - Arsenal will take heart from the fact that in the face of such troubles, they remain top of the Premiership and still very much in contention to be there come May, as well as a very positive performance during the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, where they looked nearer to their best. The likes of Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini and Sagna took the game to Milan on that occasion, and Arsenal would have been disappointed that for all their spells of dominance, they could not break down a rugged Italian defence, marshalled by the masterful Paolo Maldini, approaching 40 years of age and still performing at the very highest level. Arsenal came so very close to a potentially priceless advantage, none more so than Emmanuel Adebayor, who missed a glorious chance in the dying seconds to give Arsenal a goal going into the second leg - given his imperious form this season, he would surely have expected to score.

Milan perfected their 'catenaccio' style of play, with internationals such as Oddo and Nesta negating the threat of Adebayor very successfully, along with Maldini. They can of course boast a contender for the world's best player in the fleet-footed playmaker Kaka, who is always a threat, as Manchester United will testify. Andrea Pirlo will look to pull the strings with his range of passing, and Gattuso will be his terrier like best, looking to get the edge over Arsenal's inexperienced midfield. They will miss Seedorf, who looks likely to be absent due to injury, and Emerson who would have been in contention to start. Arsenal themselves have Czech midfielder Rosicky out, so Diaby is likely to fill in with Hleb playing behind Adebayor in a 4-5-1 formation.

This promises to be an enthralling tie, with Arsenal looking to put their recent troubles behind them with a morale-boosting win. But Milan boast experience in Maldini, promising youth in young Pato and the imperious Kaka, and will be hard to beat on their own turf. For this reason, I think they will nick this by the odd goal.

Prediction - 1-0 (1-0).


Sevilla v Fenerbahce
Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan,
Tuesday 4th March, 19.45.

Many people would have expected a team with the calibre of Sevilla, back to back UEFA Cup winners, to easily dispose of relatively weaker opposition in Turkish side Fenerbahce. As evidenced from the first leg, this is certainly not the case, and although Sevilla will still be confident having notched two away goals, they cannot afford to be complacent as they welcome Fenerbahce to Spain. Going to Turkey, with the intimidating atmosphere and passionate following, was always going to be a tough task and Sevilla will be relatively pleased with Edu Dracena and Escude's goals in Turkey giving them a platform on which to progress.

Sevilla of course have not been at their best in La Liga this season and enter this game well off the pace and fighting for a place in next season's Champions League, which is surprising given the talent at their disposal, though they were affected by Juande Ramos' departure. They can boast a formidable right side consisting of Dani Alves, courted by Chelsea in the summer, and Jesus Navas, who is one of Spain's brightest prospects and has been scouted by Europe's elite. Up front, former Tottenham man Kanoute and Pichichi candidate Fabiano lead the line, with Kerzakhov providing backup from the bench. Diego Capel looks to be fulfilling the promise that is attracting admiring glances from Arsenal and Tottenham, and as the Gunners will testify, it is never easy to do what Fenerbahce must do and get a positive result against Sevilla on their own turf.

Fenerbahce have plenty of talent themselves without doubt, but star man Roberto Carlos will be missing due to a leg injury. They will rely on the attacking threat of former Chelsea flop Kezman, who looks to be back to his goalscoring best after a poor couple of years, and Colin Kazim-Richards, who showed potential during his brief stint with Sheffield United in England. Ghana World Cup midfielder Stephen Appiah is an all-action powerful enforcer who Sevilla will need to keep a close eye on.

As for the game, Fenerbahce have a numerical advantage after a good first leg win, but Sevilla have two away goals and will be confident at home to get at least one goal which would put them through, with the attacking talents of Kanoute, Fabiano, Keita, Capel and Navas, and so I am going for a Sevilla win.

Prediction - 2-1 (4-3).