Barca won 3-0 at home and drew 2-2 at Stade Gerland late in 2007, and it is very difficult to for-see anything other than a Barca qualification 18 months on, especially if they maintain their current awesome form into the new year.
Atletico Madrid v Porto could be well turn out to be the tie of the round for the neutral. Both teams are better going forward than defending, and both are better at home than on their travels. Everything here is pointing to a very closely fought affair that could go all the way to extra-time.
One thing is for certain, there will definitely be some goals scored in two exciting legs. My head says that Porto's greater experience at this stage could prove crucial, but my heart lies with the dynamic Madrid side in this one.
Villarreal v Panathinaikos is arguably the weakest tie at this stage. It is hard to look past the Yellow Submarines here, they have the greater quality and big game experience, and as long as they are not complacent they will surely have too much class for an average Panathinaikos side who have achieved great things by just getting to this stage.
Stranger things have happened, but I can't see a Greek tragedy for Villarreal.
The final match-up sees Sporting Lisbon taking on Bayern Munich. Bayern will not be too disappointed with this draw, having avoided horror draws against Chelsea, Arsenal or Inter Milan.
Lisbon are always a threat, especially on their own patch, but Bayern will mean business having been out of the limelight, and could restore their reputation with a strong run in 2009.
It's a bit early for full scale predictions when injuries and transfers could change the picture between now and the last week in February when it all kicks off, but what the hell, here are my early choices for the quarter final line up:
Liverpool
Juventus
Manchester United
Arsenal
Barcelona
Atletico Madrid
Villarreal
Bayern Munich
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