Champions League: Second Leg Preview

A lot of discussions are taking place in the world of football.

Is scoring a goal better than sex? And did Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Smith both have sex with Gemma Atkinson on the same night? Are among them.

On a more serious note, the UEFA Champions League's battle for places in the semi finals is on.

Manchester United, Roma, Arsenal, Liverpool, Schalke, Barcelona, Fernabahce and Chelsea are all looking to book their places in the semi finals.

ARSENAL VS LIVERPOOL

Perhaps,the most hyped game of the lot is Arsenal vs Liverpool.

The Trilogy is now into it's last stage and be prepared to bet on yet another 1-1 draw. The previous two matches in Europe and the Premier League are enough to ensure that the Gunners and the Reds will be sick of the sight of each other.

It's over to Merseyside for this one, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres did not start against Arsenal in the Premier League and should be firing on all cylinders. Dirk Kuyt is reportedly in a rift with manager Rafael Benitez and if rumours are to be believed he will follow Craig Bellamy in the line of players who have left Merseyside due to a disagreement with Benitez.

Liverpool are the bookies favourites due to their success in Europe in previous years and the fact that they will be playing at home.

Our prediction: 1-1 Liverpool to win on penalties.

MANCHESTER UNITED VS AS ROMA

Roma visit the Theatre of Dreams knowing the Red Devils are missing defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Roma are making their third visit to Old Trafford in a year's period.

Previous results have been 7-1 and 1-0 both in favour of the mighty Red Devils. United, however, come into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be placing his hopes on the duo of Rooney and goal machine Ronaldo (37 goals) to shake off a hangover and book a place in the last four.

Sir Alex is reportedly considering Gerard Pique and John O'Shea to start at the heart of defense. United Skipper Gary Neville could make a return from an injury which has made him miss a large chunk of the season.

Luciano Spalleti's side missed the services of skipper Francesco Totti in Rome and has pinned his hopes on the likes of Vucinic, Giuly and Mancini to impress in Manchester.

Our prediction: 4-1 Manchester United to progress 6-1 on aggregate.

CHELSEA FC VS FERNABAHCE SK

Chelsea host Fernabahce and the Turks who sprung a surprise win in Istanbul will be hoping to knock Avram Grant's side out of Europe.

The Turkish Champions hold a 2-1 advantage coming in to the second leg and if Mateja Kezman's remarks are to believed then one might consider putting money on the Turks to scrape through.

On second thought, one feels Chelsea have to much quality and should easily progress through to the semis to face either Arsenal or Liverpool.

Nicolas Anelka is looking to add to his goals column and is expected to start alongside Didier Drogba, add to that the likes of Essien, Ballack, Lampard and Joe Cole and Fernabahce SK have a nightmare waiting for them.

Deivid and Co will be looking to continue from where they left off in Turkey.

Our Prediction: 1-0 Chelsea to progress (2-2) on away goals.

FC BARCELONA VS SCHALKE 04'

Barcelona and Schalke is the last game on our agenda and the Catalan giants who have a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Germany are favourites.

Frank Riijkard's side will have to shift their focus from La Liga where they are trailing behind Real Madrid to Europe with a possible clash with Manchester United in sight.

If you still have any money left, place it on Barcelona because you can not bet against Barcelona when they are playing at home with the likes of Henry, Eto'o, Xavi and Iniesta among them.

Schalke keeper Marcus Neuer must prepare for another tough evening of European Football.

Schalke have defied all odds making it this far and one feels this is the time they will get knocked out, or will they?

Our prediction: 2-0 Barcelona to progress (3-0) on aggregate. 

Salaar Shamsi writes for Soccernet, We Talk Football, Soccer-Digital, ESPN-World Sport and Bleacher Report.