Who will reach the Champions League final?

Three English teams go into battle in the Champions League this week, but none has an easy task to make it through to the final in Moscow on May 21. On Tuesday, Liverpool and Chelsea face off in the last four for the third time in four years, with Rafael Benitez already having started the psychological warfare with his beleaguered rival, Avram Grant. The following day, Manchester United travel to Spain to face Barcelona, with Sir Alex Ferguson confident his side can take another step towards a Premier League and European double. What do you think, though? Who do you believe will make it through to the final, and why? Please cast your votes below and leave us a comment in the panel at the bottom of this page.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Comments

[Johnny Red]

Liverpool haven't scored at SB for quite sometime, Cheyrou "the next Zidane" was the last one to nick one over there but make no mistake, Fernando Torres and for that matter Steven Gerrard can change a game in the blink of an eye and Torres in particular has NEVER played at the bridge. Don't count your chickens yet my dear blues!!!

Liverpools offence isn't great at the moment? What? Yes it is. Our defence isn't great but our attack definately is.That's why we'll score and get the away goal. And how are Man Utd the most in-form in Europe?

"They can't ride this wave of imaginary goals and friendly refereeing for ever!"

=Friendly refereeing? Kuyt's goal was not offside, and was ruled it. Yet we still won. I'd say that's talent, not luck.

We'll still get through :). 1-0 or 2-1 to us I'd say. However, there is the possibility of 1-1, in which case we will get through on penalties.

[Si]

What's all that nonsense about Anfield being Liverpool's 12th man? Ha ha, Riise's Chelsea's 12th man!

[Barrie Collins]

Surely the question should not be "Third time lucky for Chelsea?, but rather "Third time UNlucky for Liverpool?" They can't ride this wave of imaginary goals and friendly refereeing for ever!

[Jimmy RMCF]

I'd say Barca will go through, since I believe their main focus this campaign season would be on the UCL after pratically throwing away the La Liga title by drawing with Espanyol. Man U's legs will not be that fresh as they have to contemplate with the Barclays Premier League title as well.

Liverpool-Chelsea? I think it's Liverpool, somehow they'd just manage to fare well in the UCL. Somehow.

[Jonny Riches]

Not a Liverpool fan then eh Darryl? Doesnt sound like it. Firstly, since when has Liverpools form in the league ever had anything to do with how they perform in europe? Another inconsistent season domestically has again highlighted thier inability to compete with the best, although, as everybody knows by now, europe is a completely different proposition. Secondly, to label the situation an amusing media spin is quite ridiculous and discredits the team massively. Have you not watched the champions league for the last four years? I concede that luck has been unevenly distributed this season, however, the facts remain that Liverpool, and Benitez, are superior to most in european competition.

[Darryl]

This is the most amusing media spin I have heard since "Arsenal are going to finish outside the top 4".
Liverpool have struggled since October and have been from convincing agaisnt good opposition. They went on a good run against very weka temas who were also playing very badly at the time. The team gets lucky against Inter Milan with 2 sucessive red cards and then again with the penalty decisions against Arsenal. All of this amounts to "they are the most feared team in Europe" and "Liverpool are odds on to make the final". Yes its all hyperbole to say that they were 4 minutes from defeat at Anfield against Arsenal, but its also ridiculous to say that this team is suddenly a world beater. Im not discounting the qualities that Liverpool have but Im also not short-sighted enough to think that Rafa's team is so amazing by struggling to the knockout stages and then getting very fortunate in the 4 following games. Its not Liverpool, or Rafa or even Gerrard+Torres+Carragher that make Liverpool dangerous. Its the fact that the other 3 teams in the semi's should be there and Liverpool shouldn't.

[Jonny Riches]

Logically, Liverpool should be progressing once again. They are as formiddable in europe as ever this season, have the psychological edge, and I am doubtful as to whether Grants Chelsea has the mental strength and belief that Mourinhos Chelsea did, and even he couldn't hack it at Anfield.

[Grunwalski]

Kind of pointless having a vote on this.
Liverpool have hundreds of thousands of fans due to their success in the seventies and eighties. Literally thousands of them actually come from Liverpool. The rest are what might be called hunters of glory. Or they were when they chose the club.
If Chelsea continue to win trophies at the rate they have been, they too will have a huge national and global fan base. In twenty years, they'll be able to brag about their history and tell everyone what an exciting team they were. Just like the reds' fans have air-brushed the dullness of their glory teams.

If Liverpool don't win tomorrow, then the chances are they'll go out. 0-0 and they may well go through on another penalty win. The fact is, they've never scored at Stamford Bridge under Benitez and they won't this time. Possibly, they never will.

Chelsea to face Barca in the final.

[Richard]

If Ronaldo hogs the ball then Man U might lose. If Tevez comes off the bench he might save them but it all comes down to his royal prima donaship to pass the damn ball to the open players or he can try to burn four and six guys again and lost the game for his team.
This game with Barca and ManU is the final as Liverpool and Chelsea do not have a chance against either of them in the Final.

[DAVID RATEL]

it will be Man u. it doesnt matter who they get in the final.

It is fairly difficult to say which teams will go through. MAn U are confident, but its Henry and the others who will make it tough and rough.All in all, i'll keep my fingers crossed for Man.
Cheers, Martin (CZE)

[Brooky LFC]

No amount of free plastic flags given out at the bridge can generate an atmosphere like Anfield. Liverpool will progress.

Man U should have enough to beat Barca but they do still have Henry,Eto'o & Messi.

[Mark]

Man United are the best team in England, the most in-form in Europe and are playing arguably the weakest team left in the cup...

...that's why I am betting against them, football never goes according to plan.

Liverpool v Chelsea is too close to call - I think it will be just as close after the first leg and will come down to who has the more positive attitude in the second leg.

[Leo King]

Chelsea will go to the final. Chelsea has a better defence than Liverpool's. I agree their offence is unstable but so Liverpools. Football games are won by the strongest defence line.
Avram Grant is not as stupid as some fans might think. He has done amazing job with Chelsea and might take to the trophy stand of either the PL or the CL (or even both - who knows).

[Chris H]

If Liverpool were home for the second leg I'd favour them to go through but they're not and it's just too close to call. Once again the officials could prove the difference between the sides, they robbed Liverpool of a win at Anfield in the league so hopefully justice will be served in the Red's favour. Man Utd should beat an average Barcelona who are missing some key players but if Messi plays and with Henry & Eto in the team you can't write them off. Heart says Liverpool v Barcelona in final but head says Chelsea v Man Utd in which case I wont bother to watch it.

[grant c]

Man United are the strongest team in the EPL and have been scoring for fun all year. They have flair allied with experience throughout the team. Just look at the midfield blend with Giggs and Scholes guiding Anderson and Ronaldo. This is not the same Barcelona side as the one that beat Arsenal in 2006. Ronaldinho is more sangria than samba, Puyol is suspended for the first game and you get the feeling Messi has been rushed back ala Ronaldo in the 1998 World Cup final. United to win with more ease than you would have expected.
I am picking LFC over Chelsea. Liverpool are playing with more confidence and less caution than they have done all season and their win / loss record since the Barnsley debarcle has been outstanding. Chelsea have had a season that has dragged on albeit with the tantilising prospect of success so close. The reality is the team lacks passion, except from their fans. They are 50% of the side they should be.

[umurhohwo oke]

I think Chelsea will go through this time. Jose factor is no longer there and this year the first leg will be played at Anfield unlike the previous ones which where played in Stamford bridge. Man u are at the top of their game at the moment, they should go through. for me its a Chelsea vs Man u final.

[grazielfc]

I think Liverpool will reach the final and I would like Barca to beat Utd. I don't think there is a Liverpool or Man Utd fan in the country would want to lose to each other in the final, that would be unbearable.

[Brandon]

Im here from Australia and I believe that Liverpool will get through purely that they have team spirit as usual and they have Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel with confidence that they have scored in the last games and the ability to perform under pressure.
For me between Barcelona and Man Utd, I think Barcelona will finally get some confidence and go through and Messi will perform if he plays. It will be a close one it will, in my opinion either go into extra time or penalties with Barcelona pulling through.

[Piotr Fedurek-Wroclaw Poland]

In my opinion Barca and Liverpool are gonna make it to the final. Liverpool is a simple choice cuz Chelsea has done everything to convince me that this team is unable to take challenge in crucial games. Liverpool, on the other hand, has proved to be consistend and pressure resistant when it comes to big games. MU may have strenght in depht but its tactical weaknesses on the european stage will be exposed yet again...

[Rob]

Man Utd are playing the best football anywhere at the moment. The defensive partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic is strong and of course they have Ronaldo. Barca will have to be at their best to have a chance.The liverpool- chelsea game will be a tight affair, much depends on the gerrard-torres factor.

[Mia Fiona]

Liverpool players have something more to prove to the owners so they'll stop the dogfights once for all, and of course we have Rafa.

Messi is able to play for Barca, but this season Man Utd looks more comfortable and believe they can win against any teams.

[Sé]

LFC have tradition and Torres. Russian Oil have a bunch of mercenaries. No contest. Money can't buy you love.