Who will go through?

Being drawn against FC Barcelona in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League is daunting at the best of times; the last thing you want is to meet them at the top of their game.

Ramos spark
As Barcelona cantered clear at the top of the Liga, opponents Olympique Lyonnais at least had good opportunity to steel themselves for the first leg of their first knockout round tie on Tuesday – but watching the Barcelona juggernaut home into view must still be unnerving. Lyon can take heart from Barça's loss to RCD Espanyol on Saturday and it is their Liga rivals Real Madrid CF who are really hitting their stride when it matters most. Madrid were in freefall prior to their Matchday 6 encounter with FC Zenit St. Petersburg. Out went Bernd Schuster, in came Juande Ramos, and they have not looked back since.

Liverpool falter
Madrid have won every game they have played in 2009 and seem a different proposition from the team Liverpool FC were drawn against in December. Liverpool, meanwhile, appear to have taken a step in the opposite direction, having surrendered their Premier League lead to Manchester United FC and been knocked out of the FA Cup. Rafael Benítez's men invariably produce their best in the UEFA Champions League and, after recording just two victories in their last eight matches, they will need to do so again.

Holders soar
United have no such problems. Virtually unbeatable at the back and having added the FIFA Club World Cup to their European crown since they last played in the UEFA Champions League, they go into their tussle with FC Internazionale Milano with confidence soaring. Inter too have been dominant on the domestic front, but can José Mourinho finally bring that form to bear in Europe?

Hiddink in
As Internazionale pull away in Serie A, Juventus have been watching them disappear from view. The Bianconeri have hit the buffers in recent weeks and while they might have fancied their chances against Luiz Felipe Scolari's underachieving Chelsea, the London side could be a different animal under Guus Hiddink. Like Madrid and Chelsea, Club Atlético de Madrid have also appointed a new coach since Matchday 6 with Abel Resino coming in for Javier Aguirre.

Aguirre out
Aguirre had guided Atlético back to the UEFA Champions League and into the knockout stages, but an alarming slump prompted radical change ahead of the meeting with FC Porto. After a slow start to the campaign, Porto are on a roll and will be optimistic about pulling off an upset, as might compatriots Sporting Clube de Portugal against FC Bayern München. Bayern have lost three of their first four games since the resumption of the Bundesliga, suggesting they are not quite the force they have been talked up to be.

Upsets
Speaking of overturning the odds: having won at Inter in the group stage, Panathinaikos FC should be far from overawed by stuttering Villarreal CF. The Spanish team made the most of their underdog status to reach the semi-finals in 2006, but how will they adapt to playing the part of favourites against their Greek opponents? This time last year Arsenal FC and AS Roma achieved the surprise results of the round with victories over Milan and Madrid respectively. This season both face real tests just to get back into the competition, so a strong run from the first knockout round could provide the boost they require.

Who do you think will go through, and why? Have your say below.