/ James Eastham / 22 February 2009 /

James Eastham has cast his eye across a dizzying array of fixtures to bring you the week's highlights in the beautiful game.

Monday February 23

What's the betting Hull v Tottenham kick-starts a thrilling week of football in spectacular fashion? Pretty good, I'd say - since The Tigers' 12 home games and Tottenham's 12 away matches have averaged 3.17 goals and 3.08 goals respectively. Two-thirds of the 24 games in question have featured over 2.5 goals, so that market appeals at [2.02].


Tuesday February 24

Yes, folks, it's back - the Champions League take centre stage after a two-month break. Jose Mourinho's Inter face Man Utd in the night's showpiece clash between holders and the man that tormented Sir Alex Ferguson as FC Porto and Chelsea boss. United are [3.25] outsiders to win on the night (Inter are [2.65]) but [1.7] favourites to qualify for the next round.

France's remaining representatives Lyon host tournament jollies Barcelona (the Blaugrana are [4.0] to lift the trophy) in supposedly the most one-sided of the last 16 ties. Barca are [2.02] to win at Stade de Gerland and [1.25] to reach the quarter-finals but must overcome the shock of a 2-1 home defeat against lowly city rivals Espanyol on Saturday night.

The most difficult match to call is Arsenal v Roma. The Gunners have gone 12 matches without defeat in the Premier League but seven of those have ended in draws, while Luciano Spalletti's Roma are sixth in Serie A after a run of just one defeat in nine games. The fourth tie of the night is Atletico Madrid v FC Porto at Vicente Calderon stadium.

There's an FA Cup fourth-round replay on the agenda, too - Fulham meet Swansea at Craven Cottage.


Wednesday February 25

Will Claudio Ranieri enjoy a happy return to Stamford Bridge? Juventus are many people's tournament dark horses - they're [23.0] to win it - but the Turin giants face a tough task against Chelsea and new boss Guus Hiddink. The formerly moustachioed one has a tremendous pedigree in the competition, having led PSV to the semi-finals in 2005 and lifted the trophy as manager of the same club in 1988.

Ranieri's not the only manager going home, as it were - Rafael Benitez takes Liverpool to Real Madrid, the club that employed him at various levels from 1986 to 1995. When the last 16 draw was made last December Real were chaotically awful but new coach Juande Ramos has inspired a stunning run of results: the Merengues have won their last nine league matches, making them genuine contenders here. The hosts are [2.1] to triumph on the night and [1.98] to get through the tie.

Sporting warmed up for their home tie against Bayern Munich by beating city and title rivals Benfica 3-2 at Alvalade Stadium on Saturday night. The night's fourth match is Villarreal v Panathinaikos.

On Teesside, Middlesbrough host West Ham in an FA fourth-round replay following a 1-1 draw at Upton Park 10 days ago. The winners face Everton in the quarter-finals.


Thursday February 26

The Uefa Cup is the poor relation this week but there are plenty of intriguingly-poised ties to look forward to. AC Milan host Werder Bremen a week after drawing 1-1 on German soil, Tottenham are 2-0 down from last week's trip to Shakhtar Donetsk and Aston Villa face a tough trip to CSKA Moscow following their 1-1 stalemate at Vila Park last week. Fiorentina trail Ajax 1-0 before their trip to the Amsterdam ArenA and Manchester City must defend better against FC Kopenhavn to be sure of getting through (2-2).

For a decent bet, consider St Etienne v Olympiacos to feature over 2.5 goals at [2.32]. The French side ran out 3-1 winners in the Greek capital last Wednesday night and the visitors' need for goals is likely to engender an open encounter. On the evidence of the first leg, neither side defends well.

Finally, Hull City take on Championship side Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth-round replay of the week. The winners travel to either Arsenal or Burnley in the last eight.

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