Make or break for Europe's elite

A crucial night of UEFA Champions League action beckons on Tuesday with several clubs drinking in the last-chance saloon.

Top two do battle
The top two sides in Group D, Arsenal FC and RC Deportivo La Coruña, meet at Highbury with the Spanish side knowing that a win will assure them of a quarter-final place. An Arsenal victory would mean the North London side would be a point away from qualification or, in the opinion of manager Arsène Wenger, leave them "90 per cent certain" of qualifying.

Sides in form
Both sides are in top form at present. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 18 league and cup games and have won 24 of their last 30 games at Highbury. Meanwhile Deportivo are basking in the glow of their 2-1 win over Real Madrid CF in the Copa del Rey final last week at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium when they spoiled their hosts' 100th birthday party.

Wenger upbeat
Wenger has been in an upbeat mood ahead of his side's most important game of the season so far. "This is a massive game but I am convinced we can win it," he said. But his Deportivo counterpart Javier Irureta is also talking a good game. "We travel to London with the sole aim of winning the match and qualifying for the quarter-finals," he said. On the team news front Arsenal will welcome back Thierry Henry from a domestic ban but Ray Parlour will miss out and Fredrik Ljungberg is a doubt.

Juventus travel to Germany
The other Group D match sees Juventus FC travel to Germany to face Bayer 04 Leverkusen – a game both sides must realistically win to reignite their quarter-final hopes. Juventus will be without Lilian Thuram, Alessandro del Piero and Paolo Montero because of injury and Edgar Davids and Mark Iuliano because of suspension. Forward David Trezeguet, the tournament's joint top scorer at present with eight goals, also faces a late fitness test on a knee problem.

Very physical
"We know that the Germans will be very physical, a different type of game to the Spaniards," said Trezeguet. "The knee is slightly swollen but I only came off against Internazionale [FC] as a precaution I've had some tests and I'm confident I will be okay because I already feel better." Leverkusen have injury problems of their own with Oliver Neuville out and flu-hit Michael Ballack a doubt.

Not as tight
Group C is not as tight an affair as Group D with Real Madrid CF already safely ensconced in the quarter-finals. If Panathinaikos FC beat FC Porto they will join the nine-times European champions in the last eight. Porto must win to maintain any hope of sustained involvement in Europe.

A 'big tournament'
Despite seeing his side win their last twp Champions League games, Panathinaikos coach Sergio Markarian insists that the tournament is not his side's priority. "Our first objective is to win the national championship," he said. "Without any doubt, the Champions League is a very big tournament. It offers the chance to any coach or player to be known all over the world. However, I am afraid that, if we want to have success in both competitions we may, at the end, achieve nothing."

Michaelsen out
Panathinaikos will be without their Danish import Jan Michaelsen for Tuesday’s match as he is banned after receiving his third yellow card against Sparta. Porto will also be without defender Mário Silva because of a one-match suspension. Goalkeeper Vítor Baía is doubtful for Tuesday having sustained an injury to his left knee while defender Ricardo Carvalho is also struggling with a foot injury and will undergo a late fitness test.

Faint hopes
To keep their own faint hopes alive AC Sparta Praha face the daunting task of beating Madrid while hoping Panathinaikos lose to Porto. They will be aided by that fact that, with qualification already assured, Madrid seem sure to rest several of their top names. "We will make many changes in the team list for the Sparta game," confirmed coach Vicente del Bosque. "We also have some players charged with yellow cards, and we must think ahead."