Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea - who'll make the Champions League semis?

The Champions League quarter-finals are upon us and we eagerly await the outcome of four ties between the cream of Europe. So let's take a look at how the games might go:

Arsenal v Liverpool:

The all-Premier League match-up pitches Rafa Benitez against Arsene Wenger. In a sense, this has been Rafa’s most dominant competition, while Wenger lost out to PSV last year. Wenger’s young guns look hungry to deliver trophies and believe they can still win the Premier League, whereas Liverpool can concentrate on their ambitions in Europe.

On their day, both these teams are pure quality; it is a matter of the little things that will separate them. Arsenal have recovered their composure after a run of five games without a win, but without the injured Eduardo and Robin van Persie just returning, they might struggle for goals.

Expect them to exploit the lack of pace of Liverpool’s centre-backs. Sami Hyypia will probably take care of the aerial threat alongside Martin Skrtel. Theo Walcott may be Arsenal’s unlikely match-winner and there is no doubt he will cause trouble to the Liverpool defence with his dribbling skills and speed.

Liverpool need to disrupt Arsenal’s fluid passing game. Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso or Lucas Leiva are capable of doing just that and they need to get the ball to Fernando Torres. Arsenal have very few weaknesses and this tie may be decided on the number of chances Liverpool manage to create for Torres.

AS Roma v Manchester United:

United steamrollered the Italians in last year’s corresponding fixture. Roma will be without playmaker Francesco Totti, so players like Alessandro Mancini will have to step it up a notch to fill the void.

Phillippe Mexes is always solid at the back, but will need all the help he can get to stop United’s attacking threat. Cristiano Ronaldo is in blazing form, and is arguably the best player in the competition. Given their last meeting, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s expertise, I don’t expect too much trouble for Manchester United.

Schalke 04 v Barcelona:

Schalke’s squad includes some dynamic players like Rafinha, Kevin Kuryani and 34-year-old centre-back Mladen Krstajic. Barcelona, meanwhile, are without Ronaldinho, Deco and, probably most importantly, Lionel Messi. Samuel Eto’o’s fitness does not seem to bode well, either. Schalke have all the ingredients they need to pull off a big upset. Barcelona are experiencing an alarming dip in form and I don’t see where their goals will come from.

Frank Rikjaard will be hoping that Xavi can provide the initiative for attacks. Schalke have no dominating player, nor do they rely heavily on blistering pace. Quick balls to the feet of Kuryani are what they use to get goals.

Yaya Toure will have his hands full with Schalke’s front line, but if Barcelona can slip Eto’o into the starting 11, it will be a huge boost. Everything though, seems to be pointing to a Schalke victory.

Fenerbahçe v Chelsea:

This could be a trickier tie than most people seem to think. Chelsea nicked three points against Middlesbrough with a dismal display and will have to bounce back. Fenerbahçe, meanwhile, come into the game fresh off a derby victory. Alex, who will lead the line with former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman, scored two goals at the weekend.

Fenerbahçe are anchored by former Real Madrid superstar Roberto Carlos.  At centre-back they have perhaps one of the most under-rated players in Diego Lugano. Captain Stephan Appiah has been out all season but the Turks should be able to cope without him.

Chelsea have a huge problem defending set pieces. Look for Fenerbahçe to knock some crosses into the heart of the Chelsea defence. Claude Makelele, should he play, could disrupt the rhythm of Fenerbahçe and Frank Lampard hopefully will be fit enough to play after suffering from a virus. If he can make his presence felt, Fenerbahçe will have a tough time stopping their attacks.

Chelsea’s forwards have a history of disappearing for long periods of a game, but Chelsea undoubtedly have world-class players in almost every position. It is just a matter of creating the chemistry between them.