Champions League guide March 14 2008
ARSENAL
Arsene Wenger's men have consistently played some of the most aesthetically pleasing football in Europe in recent years and have thrived this season despite losing talismanic skipper Thierry Henry in the summer. They must compete on two fronts with their Barclays Premier League title chase still very much alive and despite enjoying domestic supremacy over Liverpool in recent seasons, Rafael Benitez's phenomenal record over two legs will present a stern test.
PATH TO QUARTER-FINALS: The Gunners produced one of the performances of the last round to mug reigning champions AC Milan in their own back yard after a 0-0 lockdown at the Emirates. The group stages also provided some memorable moments, with a 7-0 thrashing of Slavia Prague the highlight.
ROUTE TO FINAL: Quarter-final - Liverpool; Semi-final - Fenerbahce/Chelsea.
KEY PLAYER: Cesc Fabregas. The Spanish midfielder is the pivot around with Wenger's passing game moves.
ODDS: 5/1 Click here to bet with ITVbets
BARCELONA
A European powerhouse with a glut of the world's most exciting attacking players and a seemingly limitless supply of match-winners. They have not enjoyed a faultless season and lie adrift of leaders Real Madrid but their pedigree is undoubted and manager Frank Rijkaard will be hungry to deliver another win following the Catalans' 2006 triumph in the competition.
PATH TO QUARTER-FINALS: Barca were unbeaten in the group phase, seeing off competition from Lyon, Stuttgart and Rangers and scoring 12 goals along the way. Celtic awaited in the next stage and the Primera Liga giants won both legs despite spirited resistance from the Scots.
ROUTE TO THE FINAL: QF - Schalke; SF - Roma/Man Utd.
KEY PLAYER: Lionel Messi. In a squad bursting with flair, the young Argentina forward has established himself as the pack leader.
ODDS: 10/3 Click here to bet with ITVbets
CHELSEA
The Blues have endured perhaps the most destabilising year since Roman Abramovich's takeover, losing Jose Mourinho and facing the possibility of no silverware if their European ambitions are not realised. They still boast some top international stars and will have the desire to rescue their season.
PATH TO QUARTER-FINALS: After a goalless away leg, Avram Grant's men dominated Olympiacos with a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge last time out. They came through a tough Group B after facing Valencia, Schalke and Rosenborg.
ROUTE TO FINAL: QF - Fenerbahce; SF - Arsenal/Liverpool.
KEY PLAYER: John Terry. Chelsea depend on Petr Cech, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba in different positions but totemic skipper Terry transforms their sometimes suspect back line.
ODDS: 7/2 Click here to bet with ITVbets
FENERBAHCE
One of the lesser lights in the last eight, the Turkish champions can guarantee a foreboding welcome in Istanbul and that could help even the odds against Chelsea.
PATH TO QUARTER-FINALS: Penalties ensured their progress after a pair of thrilling 3-2s in the two-legged tie against Sevilla. Edged out PSV Eindhoven to qualify alongside Inter Milan in Group G.
ROUTE TO FINAL: QF - Chelsea; SF - Arsenal/Liverpool.
KEY PLAYER: Mateja Kezman. Enjoying regular first-team football in Turkey and producing the form to match, he can provide plenty of insider knowledge about Chelsea.
ODDS: 40/1 Click here to bet with ITVbets
LIVERPOOL
Rafael Benitez has turned the Merseysiders into the quintessential cup side. They have yet to resolve their league struggles but in European competition their form under the Spaniard has been unmatched.
PATH TO QUARTER-FINALS: A 3-0 aggregate win over Inter ensured their place in the draw and will serve as a warning to their competitors. An 8-0 humbling of Besiktas followed by a 4-1 defeat of Porto in the group stages served notice of their strength at Anfield.
ROUTE TO FINAL: QF - Arsenal; SF - Fenerbahce/Chelsea.
KEY PLAYER: Fernando Torres: Steven Gerrard still provides the leadership and energy but the clinical finishing of the Spaniard have given the Reds another dimension.
ODDS: 7-1 Click here to bet with ITVbets
MANCHESTER UNITED
In with an excellent chance of wrapping up consecutive Premier League titles, Sir Alex Ferguson has already had to wait an agonising eight years for a crack at his second Champions League title. His squad is as versatile and dynamic as at any time since then and he will be confident in his players' ability.
PATH TO QUARTER-FINALS: A low-key tie against Lyon last time out, with a single Cristiano Ronaldo goal making them outright winners at Old Trafford following a 1-1 first-leg draw. They beat last-eight opponents Roma at home in the group stages, drawing in the Stadio Olimpico.
ROUTE TO FINAL: QF - Roma; SF - Schalke/Barcelona.
KEY PLAYER: Cristiano Ronaldo: Irrepressible in possession and unstoppable in front of goal.
ODDS: 3-1 Click here to bet with ITVbets
SCHALKE
Reaching this stage of the competition represents the club's best achievement on the continent to date. They lack to big-name fire power and experience at this level but have earned their place in the last eight.
PATH TO QUARTER-FINALS: The German side could not be separated from Porto in 210 minutes and triumphed in a nervy penalty shootout earlier this month. Brave draws at home to Chelsea and away to Valencia in Group B proved their mettle.
ROUTE TO FINAL: QF - Barcelona; SF - Roma/Man Utd.
KEY PLAYER: Kevin Kuranyi. Has already proved his goalscoring credentials in the competition and provides a focal point for Schalke's counter-attacking style.
ODDS: 33/1 Click here to bet with ITVbets
ROMA
Outperforming some of the more illustrious opponents in Serie A this season to provide Inter Milan's only genuine competition this year. They will have scars from their 7-1 thrashing at the same stage against quarter-final opponents United last year but will be eager to set the record straight this time.
PATH TO QUARTER-FINALS: Met with the Red Devils again in the group stage, recording one defeat and one loss but will be boosted after beating Real Madrid home and away in the first knockout round.
ROUTE TO FINAL: QF - Man Utd; SF - Schalke/Barcelona.
KEY PLAYER: Francesco Totti. World Cup winner and icon of Italian football, Totti has enjoyed a vintage season and remains his side's most likely match-winner.
ODDS: 14/1 Click here to bet with ITVbets