Rate it!

26 votes

All the team news ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first-leg ties, with Liverpool sweating on the fitness of captain Steven Gerrard ahead of their clash with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

For projected line-ups and match stats just click on the match of your choice under the picture.

All games kick-off at 19:45 UK time.

Real Madrid v Liverpool

Liverpool have named Gerrard in the squad for the trip to Madrid but it is touch-and-go whether he is fit to start after three weeks out with a hamstring injury.

"Steven was not fit to face Manchester City on Sunday, but we will now wait to see how he does after two training sessions before making a decision about this game," Reds manager Rafael Benitez said.

"It will not be a gamble. If the doctor says he is okay, then it is not a risk. Steven is more mature now, he would not make a decision that would be considered a risk.

"He will be involved in light training sessions, we will not try to hide anything, we will make a decision when we are sure.

"Gerrard knows he must give something to the team, and if he cannot do that he will know he is not ready. I can trust Steven on that."

Xavi Alonso is available following his suspension for the City game. Daniel Agger misses out with a back injury.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored twice for Real Madrid against Betis at the weekend but the former Ajax man in ineligible for the tie with Liverpool. Guti, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder all returned from injury as half-time substitutes against Betis and are in contention. Gabriel Heinze and Fabio Cannavaro should both be fit despite picking up slight knocks at the weekend.

Chelsea v Juventus

Chelsea could again start both Didier Drogba and Nicholas Anelka as they chase goals to take with them to Turin. Ricardo Quaresma, on loan from Inter, is not eligible for the game and the match is also likely to come too soon for Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Essien despite them both being close to a return. Ashley Cole returns from suspension.

Alessandro Del Piero will come back into the Juventus starting line-up having been rested for Saturday's 2-0 Serie A win at Palermo and will probably be partnered by Amauri. The Brazilian came off the bench to set up the second goal for David Trezeguet, who is likely to be a substitute against Chelsea having just returned from five months out with a knee problem. Former Chelsea man Tiago could keep his place in midfield and defensive midfielder Mohamed Sissoko should be buoyed by his stunning opener in the win over Palermo.

Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich

Sporting will have to do without striker Helder Postiga for both legs of their clash with the German champions after he strained his knee against Benfica at the weekend. The in-form Derlei, who scored against Benfica, should come in to partner Liedson in attack. Rui Patricio, Miguel Veloso and Adrien Silva will also be missing for the Portguese side due to injury as they look to knock a German side out of Europe for the first time in their history.

Bayern Munich are hoping to have star striker Luca Toni back from a heel injury for the trip to Lisbon as they look to halt a slide in form that has seen them lose three of their last four games. Lukas Podolski and US international Landon Donovan played a half each at the weekend in Toni's absence but Bayern crashed to a shock 2-1 home defeat against Colonge. Lucio is also set to return after missing the Colonge game.

Villarreal v Panathinaikos

Joan Capdevila made his comeback from a calf strain during Villarreal's victory over Sporting Gijon at the weekend but misses out against the Greeks due to suspension. Guille Franco is also suspended while Angel Lopez is a doubt due to a thigh strain.

Former Arsenal man Gilberto and Greek international Vangelis Mantzios should return for Panathinaikos after being rested at the weekend. Loukas Vintra is still struggling with a calf strain though, while Marcelo Mattos misses out with a right thigh strain.

Eurosport