Expect the unexpected

Glum looks
Matchday 10 was a time of celebration for AC Milan and Manchester United FC as their fourth consecutive second group stage wins saw them storm into the quarter-finals. In contrast, there were some glum looks in Germany as Bayer 04 Leverkusen's fourth consecutive defeat saw them eliminated from the competition.

Odd results
It does not take a genius to spot that those three teams might just have a little less to play for than most this week. Milan travel to meet a Real Madrid CF side who have been making heavy work of qualifying for the last eight, but this could be a good time to invest in the skills of Ronaldo. Milan's defence will be shuffled following Kakha Kaladze's injury, while Iván Helguera is missing for Madrid.

Forlán prospects
Although United may not be fielding their first-choice side for the visit of gutsy Swiss challengers FC Basel on Wednesday - Roy Keane and Juan Sebastián Verón head their injury list - they have enough in reserve to challenge the best in Europe. If Diego Forlán gets the nod for the Old Trafford fixture, expect him to play like he has a major point to prove.

Barça hope
Leverkusen will not be approaching their trip to FC Barcelona with an immense amount of enthusiasm. Radomir Antic's Barça need just one point from their remaining two games to reach the quarter-finals, and there is a good chance they will get that and more on Tuesday, although Luis Enrique, Carlos Puyol, Phillip Cocu and Dani García are injured.

Injury worries
Also in Group A, Internazionale FC will be hoping to get back to winning ways after their 0-0 draw against Barcelona on Matchday 10. However, with Marco Materazzi joining Daniele Adani, Matías Almeyda, Domenico Morfeo, Stéphane Dalmat, Mohamed Kallon, Hernán Crespo and Nicola Beati on the Nerazzurri's lengthy injury list at the weekend, surprise contenders Newcastle United FC could make their mark at the Delle Alpi stadium.

Strikers reunited
Newcastle will welcome back livewire striker Craig Bellamy after suspension to partner Alan Shearer, who is in superb scoring form following a hat-trick last time out. Sir Bobby Robson's side will be desperate to secure at least a point at the San Siro to maintain a chance of overhauling Inter to win a place in the quarter-finals.

Defensive options
Defensive points could be up for grabs as Juventus FC, still reeling from their 3-0 defeat by Manchester United, take on Group D rivals RC Deportivo La Coruña, while after their defeat at home against AS Roma, expect Valencia CF to approach their match at AFC Ajax with more than a little caution.

Dortmund dilemma
Finally, home games could decide the destiny of BV Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal FC. Failure to win at home against FC Lokomotiv Moskva would put a major hole in Matthias Sammer's team's hopes of European glory, while Arsène Wenger's men need to put a poor run of results at Highbury behind them as they play Roma.

Totti time
Last week's win at Valencia brought Roma's Champions League dream to life again, and Francesco Totti could once again prove a valuable asset as Fabio Capello's side gun for the Gunners.