With the business end of the football season in full swing, the stakes couldn't be much higher for the three English sides left in the final four of the Champions League.

Chelsea go into tonight's semi-final against Liverpool knowing they have lost the same fixture twice in the last three years. In 2005 Luis Garcia's second-leg "ghost goal", as then manager Jose Mourinho described it, gave the Merseysiders a narrow 1-0 win over two legs, while last season another tight couple of games that ended 1-1 on aggregate were settled with a penalty shootout, which Liverpool won 4-1.

The Blues, who are 5/2 to come away from Anfield with the advantage, are sweating over the fitness of Didier Drogba. The Ivory Coast marksman has a knee complaint, while goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is the only other player ruled out through injury. Frank Lampard returns after being given a period of compassionate leave in respect of his ill mother and is 10/1 to mark his first game back with the opening goal.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will be boosted by a clean bill of health after talismanic captain Steven Gerrard's recovery from a neck injury - they are 5/4 to win the first leg. Punters could be forgiven for backing Fernando Torres to draw first blood for the five times European Champions, the Spanish number nine has netted in Liverpool's previous seven home games in all competitions and is 9/2 to be the first name on the scoresheet on this occasion.

Both sides will be unwilling to concede the upper hand over the first 90 minutes and those who expect another cagey contest might be tempted by the offer of 5/1 for the 0-0 draw.

An equally close affair is expected over at the Nou Camp on Wednesday (April 23rd) night, with the mouthwatering match-up of 2006 winners Barcelona taking on Premier League leaders Manchester United. Neither side are known to play in a negative fashion and a high concentration of attacking talent in both sides should make for an entertaining spectacle.

United are 13/8 to take a lead back to Old Trafford, while Barca, who have 15 to 13 goal advantage over the seven competitive European ties between the clubs, are 6/4 to secure a home win.

Argentinian forward Lionel Messi has more than compensated for the frequent absence of Ronaldinho this season and is 8/1 to break the deadlock in Spain after shaking off a thigh injury to play a part in his team's 0-0 draw with Espanyol at the weekend.

United's Carlos Tevez does not underestimate the importance of Messi to the Barca set-up: "He is very quick out of the blocks, he is a fantastic player. He is the main point of reference and the key man in the whole Barca team."

No surprise that the red-hot Crisitano Ronaldo is favourite to score first at 5/1, the Portuguese forward is having the season of his life with 38 goals, including seven in Europe.

United, who broke a Champions League record in the last round recording an 11th straight home victory, are now favourites to win the trophy at 7/4, with the remaining three semi-finalists all available at 3/1.

Can United evoke memories of their treble win in 1999 by triumphing in Catalonia?