UEFA Cup: Quarter-Final Time

Thursday night will continue a great week of European football with the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.

Glasgow Rangers, fresh from their Old Firm derby win over Celtic, welcome Sporting Lisbon to Ibrox. The Portuguese giants saw off England’s Bolton Wanderers in the round of 16 and will fancy another British scalp.

Scottish side Rangers defeated Werder Bremen of Germany in the previous round, thanks to a great 2-0 home win that the Germans were unable to overturn in the return leg (1-0).

The men from Glasgow are sweating over the fitness of key personnel following Saturday’s battling 1-0 win over city rival’s Celtic.

Midfielders Steven Davis and Saturday’s scoring hero Kevin Thomson both picked up injuries and failed to play all 90 minutes at the weekend. However, Thomson is expected to recover in time for Thursday’s clash.

Rangers boss Walter Smith says he is prepared to take the game to Sporting, and that he believes in his side. He said, “This time we can cause Sporting more problems than we did to Werder Bremen.”

The 'Gers will have the edge at Ibrox, but over two legs, I’d hate to jinx it.

Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg travel to Germany where they will meet Bayer Leverkusen. Dick Advocaat’s side have been this year's surprise package and came back from 3-1 down against Marseille to knock out the French side.

Leverkusen will need to win at home to have any chance, as no one will fancy going to Russia for a result.

Tournament favourites Bayern Munich welcome plucky Spanish side Getafe to the Allianz Arena, in what has all the makings of a shock result. Getafe are no stranger to big sides, playing their football in the Spanish La Liga, and will take this one in their stride.

Bayern on the other hand, have the pressure of being the favourites to deal with, but I’m sure they will be confident of progressing.

Last but not least is the battle between the two sides that knocked out English opposition in the last round. Fiorentina disposed of Everton despite looking rather lacklustre at Goodison Park in a 2-0 defeat.

PSV Eindhoven amazingly threw away their 1-0 lead earned at White Hart Lane and lost 1-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg. It was PSV, though who maintained their composure to win on penalty kicks.

I believe neither team will fancy the other and this could be a low scoring affair. PSV will have to improve on their home form, however if they are to have any chance.

So don’t switch off after this week’s UEFA Champions League action, as we have another night of great European football.