Starved of Champions League action since the start of December it’s high time Europe’s Premier club tournament took centre stage once again, and with the competition reaching the last 16, it could be bad news for supporters of Liverpool and great news for Spain:

Boylesports have taken a huge chance by offering an industry standout evens for Real Madrid to qualify for the quarter finals over two legs at the expense of Liverpool – the scousers may still be without the towering influence of skipper Steven Gerrard for the first leg, and either way you’d have to fear the Spaniards the form they’re in at present.

They’d scored six by the interval on Saturday night in a win that made it nine on the bounce, and with Rafa Benitez’s side stuttering in the league of late and struggling to find top form it could be curtains for the Merseysiders.

Real have been eliminated at this stage a remarkable four years running, but with Juande Ramos’ team hitting form at exactly the right time they’ve got a cracking chance to overcome that statistic over the next fortnight.

Most of the firms bet the tie each of two, but some make Liverpool marginal favourites due to their second leg home advantage, and that looks a mistake.

Take the even money about Real Madrid to qualify (nap).

Elsewhere among the eight ties Villarreal should have too many guns for Panathanaikos – the yellow submarines can boost multiples by progressing at 4/9.

The Athens side did well to qualify, but it would be a big surprise if they make it any further against this slick Spanish outfit.

Finally, sticking with the east coast of Spain 3/1 tournament favourites Barcelona should make light work of perennial French champions Lyon.

They’re rated as certs by the firms and rightly so, the 1/4 clearly makes no appeal as a single, but don’t be afraid to stick them in a ‘to qualify’ multiple bet with Real and Villarreal.

Barca did suffer a slight mishap in the league on Saturday, losing 2-1 to city rivals Espanyol after being reduced to 10 men, but they should bounce back here and in emphatic fashion.

The treble pays a whisker less than 5/2 with both Boylesports and Stan James.

Good luck!

Champions League Tip

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Villareal all to qualify for the newxt stage of the Champions League

5/2 at Stan James – £25 Free Bet for New Customers