Schalke and Bayern head to head

While Real Madrid CF's centenary and Spanish Cup final appearance will gain much attention tonight, there is plenty of action elsewhere not least in Germany where FC Schalke 04 and FC Bayern München go head to head.

Looking for revenge
The German Cup semi-final has thrown up a heavyweight fixture that will see UEFA Champions League holders Bayern travel to take on Schalke in Gelsenkirchen. Schalke, backed by a sell-out crowd, will be aiming for revenge after being narrowly pipped by Ottmar Hitzfeld's side in the chase for the German title last season. The winners will play Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the final.

Psychological advantage
"Bayern are Bayern. They're always favourites," said Schalke sporting director Rudi Assauer. "But we have the home advantage and if we can clinch this one, we'll have the psychological advantage for the rest of the season." Bayern were struggling with a long list of injuries before Wednesday night's clash with Mehmet Scholl, Hasan Salihamidzic, Pablo Thiam and Niko Kovac all contending with long-term problems.

Barmby back
In England, Michael Owen will be looking to repeat his hat-trick from last season against Newcastle United FC when Liverpool FC welcome Bobby Robson's side to Anfield for a vital FA Premiership fixture. If Liverpool, who are expected to give Nick Barmby his first start of the year, win they could overtake second-placed Manchester United FC if the champions were to slip up at home against Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Title tussle
There is also a league fixture in Croatia that could have major title implications. Prva HNL leaders NK Zagreb travel to second-placed NK Varteks with the knowledge that a win could give them a 13-point lead and a real stranglehold on the league. Vartek midfield player Danijel Hrman said: "We are extra motivated against Zagreb. Lots of big teams have come to Varazdin and gone away empty-handed." Zagreb's coach, Zlatko Kranjcar agreed that the match would be a severe test. We must push really hard from the very first minute. We are going there to win, and that is all we are interested in."

Corsican challenge
French attention will focus on Corsica tonight where Paris Saint-Germain FC travel to Corsica to face SC Bastia in Le Championnat. The Parisians desperately need a win if they are to maintain their bid for a spot in next year's UEFA Champions League but that could difficult against a Bastia side that has won their last two home matches heavily supported by a passionate crowd at the Furiani stadium.

Lokeren need a miracle
Finally a place in the Belgian Cup final on 7 May at the King Baudoin stadium in Brussels will be at stake tonight when R. Excelsior Mouscron aim to finish the job in the second leg of their semi-final match against K. Sint Truidense VV after winning the first leg 3-0. In the other semi-final, Sporting Lokeren St-Niklaas Waasland will need a miracle to cancel out their 3-0 deficit against KV Club Brügge from the first match.