Here we are, the big four play against each other this weekend, and each team needs a win. Manchester is trying to separate itself from arsenal, who are trying to keep up with the leaders. While Chelsea want to try and stay alive in the race, while Liverpool wants to consolidate its 4th place. Lots at stake so lets take a look at the games.

Manchester United (1st) - Liverpool (4th)

Both teams have had good runs in recent times, with the leaders coming off a four game win streak in the league and a quarter final date in 2 weeks time with roma, while Liverpool have won five games and drawn one in their last six epl games, and are playing arsenal in the quarters of the cl. Both teams have had their star players score an abundance of goals recently, with torres already at 27 in his first season, while ronaldo’s 33 beat George Best’s record for most goals for a winger at Manchester. And with Gerrard and Tevez in the mix, you would think that Sunday’s game would promise loads of goals, well it seems unlikely, with both teams more likely looking to shut down the other teams’ attacks.

In recent games between these two, Liverpool have been the team who controlled the tempo, yet rarely managed to really trouble the United defence (except when Van Der Sar decided to make things interesting with his horrible  attemps to get the ball on free kicks and crosses). Meanwhile Manchester was happy playing on the counter, and seem to get their goals from set-pieces. But then again, Manchester United have conceded a lot from set-pieces and will need to be careful. Like the last grand slam Sunday, these ties could be decided from set-pieces.

The player to watch for Manchester United is surely the EPL’s player of the year ronaldo. If he plays as he has been playing recently, then he will cause Liverpool, but if he bottles the game like he does whenever Manchester needs him in big games, then his ineffective display could lead to drop points.

Liverpool need above all one player to perform if they want to get a result, and that is Gerrard. Forget the fact that Torres is scoring goals for fun, Gerrard is their savior, the player they rely on when they need the goal at the 90th minute. He is liverpool’s version of Michael Jordan. His inconsistency baffles many, but when Liverpool plays the big games, he is there, and it is hard to find a player who has scored so many “clutch” goals.

Prediction. This could go either way and really im just flipping a coin, but considering ronaldo’s poor play in big games and gerrard and torres playing well together, 1-1 is a plausible result. Manchester won’t be to mad because arsenal play at Chelsea while Liverpool will take the point knowing the would still be 4th.

Chelsea (3rd)- Arsenal (1st)

Arsenal are under pressure here, after four draws and giving the lead to Manchester, they know they can not slip up again, while Chelsea will want to show they are still in the title race. The problem with Chelsea under Grant is that they can not beat the big teams, their only “scalp” this season being Portsmouth. Arsenal on the other hand, has seen their squad decimated while drawing four times in a row versus weaker opposition. However, in big games like these form does not matter. Avam Grant will need to figure out his team selection. Ballack or Lampard? Drogba or Anelka? Whilst Wenger sure wish he had this problem. RVP is back but not completely sharp, while rosicky will still be out. It looks like the unloved eboue will play right wing. They need more from him in this game, and his battle against cole will be big. Both teams seem prepared for this showdown.

Arsenal used to be Chelsea’s bogey team, but since that dramatic quarter final loss in 2004, the table have turned. Arsenal’s victory in December was the first in over 3 years, and have only won once in 10 games versus the blues. However, the Mourinho era is gone, and Wenger will fancy his chances against a tactically-challenged Grant. The recent games have also brought some battles and fights, and considering the aggressive-minded players like terry (who got injured in the last matchup), cole, lampard and drogba for chelsea and Gallas, Fabregas, eboue, and Adebayor, another fight seems plausible.

Chelsea’s go to guy this season has been cole. He was HUGE against spurs Wednesday night and they will need his attacks if they want to win this game, he can win the game by himself.

Arsenal will need a lot more than they have receive in the last 2 games from fabregas if they want to win this game. Magical against Milan, he has lowered his game, but if he can bring it up again, then arsenal could win this match. Also watch out for Walcott if he comes on, very threatening in recent games (earned him a call up to the national team), he scored his first arsenal goal against Chelsea.

Prediction. Im more confident about this one, Grant just cant win the big ones, and I don’t see him or Chelsea getting past a solid arsenal. Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal.

            The Champions League is back, and I’ve decided to do my own predictions. I will focus more on the teams that I know better (the Milan-Arsenal and Lyon-Manchester Utd ties). But first lets take a look at the games on Tuesday

Tuesday’s ties

AS Roma-Real Madrid

Robinho is out for tomorrow’s game, but thankfully in the last few games robben has been playing well. For Roma, No real injuries to the starting eleven.

This games pits two emblematic captains, raul versus Totti, and these two will decide who will go through to the next round. Madrid have been hot and cold lately, in the last three games they have 2 losses and a 7-0 win. Verdict: Madrid on away goals.

Liverpool-Inter

Only Agger is out, but hes been out since the beginning of the season for Liverpool, While Vieira, (short on fitness), and Figo are undecided but might not play. Benitez needs to qualify and pull off a miracle if he wants to keep his job, out of the FA cup (home loss to barnsley, after leading) and out of the EPL race, they might not even qualify to the next Champions league. Inter have been flying high this year, even if the serie A is not what it was a few years back when Juventus had its stars and Milan gave a ####, its still an achievement that they still haven’t lost in the league. Its hard to see Liverpool going through, with the Inter offense playing like it is and Maxwell and Maicon using the wings well, it might end up being one sided. Verdict: Inter easily

Olympiakos-Chelsea

Everyone except Terry is in the squad for the tournament, while Olympiakos seem to be missing a few players. Perhaps the most one-sided draw of the last sixteen, this game should not be too hard for Chelsea (no offence to Olympiakos). The Greeks did well to eliminate Bremen and Lazio from their group, but Chelsea’s firepower should be too much for the Greeks. A draw in the first leg might not be too bad for both teams, but the game at Stamford Bridge, will be all Chelsea. Verdict: Chelsea easy

Schalke-Porto

Only one major player missing for Schalke, and it is Pander. Porto will be without Bosingwa, Adriano and bolatti. Porto seem to be favorite here due to their European experience in recent years, but I expect a very close tie, Schalke will rely heavily on the German hitman Kuranyi if they want to go through. Verdict: Porto by a hair.

Wednesday’s ties.

Celtic-Barcelona

The Catalans seem to be the favorites here, however, with their recent troubles on and off the pitch the scots could pull an upset. Celtic have been doing pretty well lately, and if they manage a home win, they could do well, especially if you consider the last time Barca came to Glasgow, they left with a 0-0 draw and very frustrated. However, Celtic’s very poor away performances hinders their chances of winning. Barca comfortably

Fenerbahce-Sevilla

Had this tie been played 3 months ago in December, Fener would have like their chances. Sevilla were all up and down, but now seem to have settled and are playing football closer to what they were playing last year. As for the turks, their excellent home form in which they beat inter means they have a chance, and will consider themselves lucky to have fallen against the weakest top seed left in the tournament. Verdict: Sevilla but barely

Lyon-Manchester United

Quite possibly the most interesting tie of the last 16, pits the French Champions versus the English Champions. Manchester United are heavy favorites here, but Lyon have some real magic in them especially in offense. Let’s take a look at the teams,

            Goalkeeping

                        Coupet Vs Van Der Sar: Both keeper seem past their prime, with Van Der Sar not having a great season, while Coupet has only recently come back from injury, if he can play like he did a year ago, then lyon wont have to worry about him. Adv. Lyon

            Defense

                        Manchester’s Defense has been amazing this year, Ferdinand and vidic are solid, while evra brings something great offensively, However, on the right, Brown has done fine but they need a great day from him, clearly their weakest spot. Lyon’s defense has been very disappointing, with cris getting injured, Squillaci has been the only one doing well. Grosso is good offensively, but needs to play better in defense, while Clerc is no world class defender. Adv; Clearly united

            Midfield

                        There is a doubt on who SAF should put in midfield, keep faith in the old guard of Giggs and schools or go with the young Nani and Anderson. This question is important, because it could cost Manchester the tie. On the other team, Lyon will need a great Juninho and his free kicks, but will also be hoping that Toulalan shows his class. For those of you who do not know toulalan, he is the the clone of flamini, runs endlessly, trying to break down the opposition and is practically a starter for France. Adv: None

            Offense

                        Even if he is a winger, Ronaldo has been the one scoring the goals, however, statistics don’t lie, and when rooney is on the pitch, Manu does not lose. His relationship with Tevez will cause lyon a lot of problems, but they might regret not having a real center forward. Lyon will be hoping Benzema keeps firing the goals and that Ben Arfa keeps getting in dangerous situation. However, the player that has surprised me is Govou, everyone made fun of him in france until his two goals in sept. 2007 against Italy, but this season wow, he has been in amazing shape. If you also add in Fred to the mix, you got to give Lyon the adv, just because Manchester have no real striker. Adv slightly lyon

            Manager

            I wont waste anyone’s time, Clearly United have the advantage, but the truth is that the 22 players know what they have to do, and the manager does little, except name the starting line up and sub at the right time.

            Prediction. This draw will either be very close, in which case Lyon has a chance, especially if the defense holds tight, or it wont, in which case Manchester will walk them off the park. Benzema will have to be on his best, and can count on the fact that Ronaldo seems to choke in big games (manU fans don’t deny it). Im French so im going with Lyon but I wouldn’t bet on it.

            Arsenal-Milan

I think the tie of the last 16. The holders versus the best team of the year (no offense inter). Youth vs Experience, Hleb v Kaka, Pirlo V fabregas, Gattuso V flamini, the matchups are great. If arsenal wants to win this, they will need flamini to do what he does best, which is give room for fabregas to play while defending like a maniac. Adebayor will need to continue his scoring record, especially since the third choice keeper will play against arsenal in the first leg. Its interesting to note that Pato, Kaka and Gattuso are back from injury, arsenal need to take that into consideration, because after 60 minutes these players might will get even more tired, so they need to be patient. They will need to use their pace as the Milan defenders aren’t 30 anymore. This is a situation that if Walcott had progressed to a good player he would have excelled. Reyes would have been perfect for it too, but we will have to rely on the passes of fabregas, and Eduardo neat finishing if arsenal wants to win. Milan will need to be solid and to break down arsenal passing play if they want to go through, its going to be very tough, and Pato will have to carry the offensive workload with Kaka. I honestly don’t see Milan getting through, it will be very very close, but I see an arsenal victory at the Emirates and a draw at the san siro (where arsenal last won 5-1).

PS. My predictions are not perfect, and I don’t think they will all be right, but please respect my choices, these are my opinions, and if you think im wrong, explain why, don’t just say im wrong.