Nervous nights in store for Europe's finest

Seven of the eight UEFA Champions League first knockout round ties are delicately poised ahead of the second legs this week, promising two tension-filled nights of action across the continent.

Bayern on the brink
Three of England's quartet of representatives hold single-goal leads while the other, Manchester United FC, are involved in one of four ties which stand all square after the first games a fortnight ago. Only FC Bayern München, who won 5-0 at Sporting Clube de Portugal, look all but assured of a place in the draw for the quarter and semi-finals, which will be held in Nyon on 20 March.

Ranieri connection
On Tuesday, Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC will seek to preserve their 1-0 advantages. Five-time European champions Liverpool welcome nine-time winners Real Madrid CF to Anfield have won in Spain but with Los Merengues in sparkling domestic form and eager to atone for their disappointing first-leg display. Chelsea, meanwhile, take a slender lead to play Juventus in Turin where the Bianconeri – coached by former Blues manager Claudio Ranieri – have won ten of their last 13 home matches in Europe's premier club competition.

Omens against
Although Sporting can take solace from Bayern's stuttering form since the beginning of the year, the weight of history would suggest that even the consolation of a second-leg victory, however small, is unlikely. In nine previous occasions Bayern have played host to Portuguese visitors the Bundesliga club have won seven and drawn two. Elsewhere on Tuesday, Panathinaikos FC welcome Villarreal CF to Athens with the tie level at 1-1 and the Greek side aiming to win their first UEFA Champions League knockout contest in 13 years.

Unbeaten record
The following day holders United put their record 20-match unbeaten run in the competition – and the trophy – on the line when they play FC Internazionale Milano at Old Trafford with the tie locked at 0-0. Their Premier League counterparts Arsenal FC meet AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico holding the edge thanks to Robin van Persie's penalty two weeks ago but will be hoping their first-leg profligacy does not prove costly.

Former players
FC Barcelona and Club Atlético de Madrid both resume their ties all sqaure although the former will perhaps feel the more secure having scored an away goal in drawing 1-1 with Olympique Lyonnais. Atlético, meanwhile, twice surrendered the lead at home to FC Porto to draw 2-2 but with a trio of former Dragons players among their ranks in Maniche, Giourkas Seitaridis and Paulo Assunção, Los Colchoneros will certainly not be short of inside information.