Tonight sees the first two Champions League quarter-final second-leg ties take place, and Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson does not expect to see a surprise.

CHELSEA (3) v LIVERPOOL (1) (ITV1)

IT could have been one of the matches of the season, but it is surely now nothing more than a formality.

When Didier Drogba scored Chelsea’s third goal at Anfield last Wednesday, he left Liverpool needing to make history tonight to keep their Champions League ambitions alive. No away team has ever overhauled a two-goal deficit to progress in the competition.

Liverpool’s only glimmer of hope appears to lie in the absence of John Terry, who is suspended after picking up his second Champions League yellow card six days ago.

Chelsea’s defence looked shaky enough with him as Bolton scored three goals in eight minutes at the weekend, so it could prove even more creaky without him.

But even if Liverpool were to grab an early goal tonight, they would still need two more to progress. With Michael Essien expected to resume his man-marking responsibilities against a fitagain Steven Gerrard, that seems unlikely.

Chelsea have turned a corner under Guus Hiddink and, with the Premier League title unlikely, the Champions League is now the number one target at Stamford Bridge.

BAYERN MUNICH (0) v BARCELONA (4) (ITV4)

IF Liverpool’s task is difficult, it is nothing compared to the one facing Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

Barcelona took Bayern to the cleaners last week, scoring four goals in the opening 45 minutes and effectively booking their semi-final spot in the opening quarter of the tie.

Lionel Messi was in mesmerising form at the Nou Camp, and the Argentina international has pushed Cristiano Ronaldo aside to reclaim his crown as the best player in Europe.

With Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o in full flow alongside him, it was easy to see why the bookmakers are making Barcelona shortpriced favourites to lift the Champions League trophy in May.

They won’t be exerting themselves this evening against a Bayern Munich side that will once again be missing a number of key players.

Bayern boss Jurgen Klinsmann is urging his players to reclaim some pride, but with Miroslav Klose out with a long-term ankle injury, it is hard to see the hosts causing Barcelona any flutters.