Real, Arsenal and Valencia smell second stage
Bill Barclay
Second phase qualification beckons for holders Real Madrid, Arsenal and Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Despite a shock Spanish league defeat on Saturday, nine-times European champions Real are firmly in control of Group C and a win at home to Greece's AEK Athens on Tuesday would guarantee a top two finish, barring miracles.
Vicente Del Bosque's side were humbled 2-0 by Racing Santander on Saturday though, and they will not underestimate AEK in Madrid after the 3-3 draw between the two three weeks ago.
AS Roma look to cement second place by beating Belgian side Genk in the Italian capital.
Arsenal, who like Valencia have three wins out of three so far, entertain French side AJ Auxerre at Highbury determined to forget their first English premier league defeat in 31 games at the weekend.
Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at Everton cost them the leadership of the English league but they look unassailable at the top of Group A.
Arsene Wenger's team, who expect to welcome back Robert Pires after injury, have scored seven goals without reply and a fourth successive victory on Tuesday will confirm qualification as one of the top two sides with two games to spare.
A point would do for Arsenal if PSV Eindhoven fail to beat second-placed Borussia Dortmund in Germany.
Valencia, losing finalists in 2000 and 2001, have been no less impressive in Group B, and a trip to Swiss side Basel is unlikely to upset their winning sequence.
The Spanish side, who could be without Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar on Tuesday, will also qualify with a victory.
BUBBLING LIVERPOOL
After a poor start to their Champions League campaign Liverpool are bubbling before their trip to Spartak Moscow, having just replaced Arsenal at the top of the premier league.
They, too, are without an influential midfielder in Steven Gerrard but beat the Russians 5-0 at Anfield and will be confident of another three points on Tuesday.
In Group D a potentially decisive encounter takes place in France between leaders Olympique Lyon and second-placed Inter Milan, with the Italians looking to avenge their 2-1 defeat in the San Siro three weeks ago.
Ajax Amsterdam have four points like Inter, two less than Lyon, but the Dutch side have the easiest game -- at home to Norwegian champions Rosenborg Trondheim who have not won any of their last 11 Champions League away games.
