Jon

  (11:02 AM)

Hi all, here now so keep those questions coming in. Will get to as many as possible.

jingili

which team will win the uefa champion league for this season?

Jon

  (11:03 AM)

Start off with the big ones eh jingili? I think Barcelona looked very good a few weeks ago, and I still think they'll get to the final, but I do believe the winner will come from England again. If United get past Inter they look the strongest, but don't rule out Hiddink's Chelsea.

weicong, singapore

Hi,how do you see the games tonight? Who do you think will prevail?

Jon

  (11:05 AM)

I actually think all the English teams will go through. Easily in fact. Bayern are already through. and I think Villarreal will get an away goal to get through. Same for Atletico Madrid.

Derek (Houston, TEXAS)

Given that the final is in Italy, do you see an Italian club playing in the final, or will it be between the English and Spanish clubs?

Jon

  (11:06 AM)

Hi Derek. I think Inter have the best chance of making the final, they have some good squad depth. But a Barcelona v Man Utd final would be a good one. Arsenal and Liverpool are suspect when playing other English sides, and I think Barca have the beating of Chelsea. Not sure any of the others have it in them to cause an upset.

Tony Chicago,Illinois

Why Does Bayern Munich not get any respect I never see anything mentioned about them. They are quietly running thru everyone they play.

Jon

  (11:09 AM)

Losing to the likes of Cologne, Hertha Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen suggests not Tony. Or did you mean purely Champions League? They have a good squad, but are too reliant on Ribery for inspiration. They would give Arsenal/Liverpool a good game, but the likes of United and Barcelona would be too strong for them. I think the semis would be a great result for them.

Matt (Chicago)

I love watching soccer, but unfortunately know nothing about the teams, players and leagues. What is the best advice you can give me to figure this stuff out? I need to start with the leagues. Please help!

Jon

  (11:11 AM)

Good place to start is right here Matt. I'd suggest reading a good book on soccer first, check our review section for the best ones. Then watch as much as you can. ESPN has a ton of coverage on offer and of course, Soccernet is a great place to read about the latest news. Our columnists can give you an insight into the leagues for sure.

Ashton Adams (Wheeling, WV)

If you are Sir Alex, do you turn the boys loose and let them go at Inter or do play a bit conservative, being fearful of the away goal that could knock you out?

Jon

  (11:12 AM)

I'm not sure Alex knows the word 'conservative'. His sides will always attack because that's what they do. It wouldn't surprise me to see Tevez starting for his tenacity; but they certainly won't sit back. They always want to score goals and have the firepower to get one at any time.

Alan: (Riverton Utah)

Is the possibility of a quintuple really a good thing for the beautiful game?

Jon

  (11:15 AM)

I think so. It's not like you have a side that can do that every year. A club has to aim high and of course United will want to win all five. The problem you might be getting at is that they have spent a lot of money on their squad to get that far. In which case, I agree. Perhaps a spending limit would even out the playing field a bit, but I think that would be hard to impose. Especially on the big teams.

Giuseppe (Ft.Lauderdale, Florida

where did all this disrespect for italian teams come from?

Jon

  (11:17 AM)

I don't think I'm being disrespectful Guiseppe. Without AC Milan there, the Italian hopes are a lot weaker. Inter were awful in the first leg, as were Roma. Juve did not mount much of an attack on Chelsea, so it's simply a case of who is better at the moment, I just don't see the Italian sides progressing beyond their English opponents this year.

Ray (Toronto, Ontario)

Why you do not think Liverpool wil make it to teh final. If they beat Real tonight, i think they are one of the strongest teams in the Champions league, with a very solid defensive displays. What's your take on them?

Jon

  (11:19 AM)

Squad depth, pure and simple. An injury to Torres and everything is over for them. Kuyt, Babel and Ngog can't cut it up there on their own. I think they have a good side, and in Gerrard probably the best player in the competition. but if they come up against United or Chelsea they won't progress.

hock-thiam, singapore

hi Mr Carter shouldn't the champions league be a tournament for champions only. it makes no sense for a fourth team to be playing in a cup meant for champions only. i miss those days when it was just simply EUROPEAN CUP.

Jon

  (11:22 AM)

Excellent point hock. I agree, it should be. But money talks and Europe's top clubs make a lot of money from being in the UCL. UEFA are quite happy to have the bigger sides playing each other, but I'd like to see smaller champions play. It could cut the number of games, you could have playoffs for Romania, Switzerland, etc and the automatic places would go to the big guns. Plus you could cut the silly last-16, which I always think is a waste of time.

Will (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

What do you think of Arsenal's chances of finally lifting the European Cup? Assuming they go through Weds, most of their players should be back for the next round to make a push for it, but are the other heavyweights too good?

Jon

  (11:25 AM)

Again, I have to come back to the English problem. Arsenal can beat any team in Europe on their day and they love it when sides attack them. Arsenal v Barcelona would be great, but I think if they come up against Liverpool/United/Chelsea they will be found out. These sides know how to play against them and the pressure of injuries and inexperience will tell. Imagine Arsenal in a penalty shootout with Eboue, Bendtner, Denilson, etc taking them against the likes of Giggs, Ballack, Ronaldo or Xabi Alonso.

Jim (Toronto, ON)

Panathinaikos got "jobbed" in Spain with the Penalty call. There is going to be 70000 fans in Athens, I do not see Villareal getting a result but all commentators just discredit all Greek teams out of hand. Why is that?

Jon

  (11:27 AM)

I think it's because they don't have a great history in the competition, and there's not a lot known about their players outside of Greece. You're right though, they played well and have some of the best support around, so there's no reason they can't cause an upset. Villarreal have extra quality up front though, and I think that might be the difference.

Harpal (Toronto, Canada)

What is the possibility of C. Ronaldo leaving Man Utd and heading to Real Madrid?

Jon

  (11:29 AM)

Oh Harpal, that old chestnut. I think United would be clever to sell Ronaldo for above GBP;80m. Buy Ribery and Benzema and forget about the Portuguese. His commitment is in doubt and he won't do any better at any other club than United, so if he wants to leave, let him. I just hope it doesn't keep dragging on.

Pierre (Lyon, France)

Most underrated star player in the world? I say Iniesta. The kid is incredible. I think he is in the Top 5, but he is very unselfish and not very marketable, so he is overlooked. Any chance for Lyon tonight?

Jon

  (11:32 AM)

Good one Pierre, I would certainly agree with you there. He hasn't been a regular for Barca this season, but is an incredible talent. I really don't see Lyon upsetting Barca, but they have been in a poor run of late so who knows.

Ian (San Francisco)

Will Newcastle ever return to Europe?

Jon

  (11:34 AM)

It will take a lot for them to even get to the top half of the table again. Investment is key, but investment in the right areas. Ashley needs to go and they could do will cutting the deadwood: Duff, Barton, etc. I would say it is not improbable, but they have a long way to go if they are to get to Europe again.

Erik (Toronto, Canada)

So much talk about Barcelona, Man Utd etc. What do you think about Arsenal's chances? What do you think they'd have to do to get to the final?

Jon

  (11:37 AM)

Lots of Arsenal questions coming in, so I'll try and answer them all in one go. Arsenal will make the final if they avoid the likes of United and Chelsea. They can probably beat Liverpool, but have too young a squad to cope with the pressure of the UCL. Fabregas will have to come back and play well, and the defence will have to stay fit. Otherwise I can't see them progressing beyond the quarter-finals.

Johnny The Greek--South Korea

CL question: think we'll see another choke by the overrated C. Ronaldo this time around?

Jon

  (11:40 AM)

Overrated? Really? After 42 goals last year? Ok, he's constantly underpressure to do well in big games, and so he should be, but I don't think he chokes. He's one of the calmest pen takers I've ever seen and can deal with any problem in front of him. Granted he's not a role model, but not every player is. And he can work on that.

Christian (San Diego, California)

Do you like the concept of having away goals be the difference maker in who goes through to the next round?

Jon

  (11:45 AM)

I don't like it much, but then as a friend pointed out to me the other day, if you only have one goal it's pointless. One away goal, and the other team still has to score regardless. Otherwise they lose. I think it's better than pens,, but still think extra-time or golden goal should be around to decide things if it's still a draw after 90 mins.

Acelow (Singapore)

So what is your predications for the last 8? And who do you think will be playing against each other in the last 8?

Jon

  (11:47 AM)

Predictions, predictions. Ok.. United v Villarreal. Arsenal v Chelsea. Bayern v Atletico Madrid, Liverpool v Barcelona.

Brett (Houston, TX)

Derek is a soccer hooligan! He's at work right next to me, and posted a question earlier. Boo Arsenal! It would be awesome if you could post this, because he's reading this right now.

Jon

  (11:47 AM)

Houston crew out in force. Ok Brett, so what's your question?

Rob, Birmingham

Whilst I would love the prospect of playing (and beating) Man United in the Final, do you not agree that an English dominance of the tournament is a negative? Personally, I see the European Cup as exactly that. I'd rather see Liverpool face a team from ANOTHER Euro country. What are your thoughts?

Jon

  (11:49 AM)

Well I agree, it is the European Cup after all. The problem is, they stop teams from the same countries playing each other until the quarters. If you removed this, it might mix things up a bit. But as boring as it may be, if the teams are good enough, they'll still reach the finals, it's all down to the luck of the draw.

Dave (Goose Creek, SC)

Jon, Not be soccer savy, you mentioned above that a Barca/Man U final would be really great to see. Is there anyway that they can avoid each other until the finals or is there a chance that they can see each other either in the quarters or semis?

Jon

  (11:51 AM)

Hi Dave, it's all down to dumb luck from now on in. The balls roll and the teams play. They could meet in quarters or semis, but the draws are at the same time, (this friday) so you'll see your team's likely route and opponents.

Omar (Washington, DC

Which club do you take as your black horse running under the radar to possibly win it all?

Jon

  (11:54 AM)

I really don't think so this year. I loved it in the past when Porto and Monaco made the final, but the smaller clubs don't look like making much progress.

Ali Tampa, FL

Who is the best GK left in the UCL? Buffon? Van der Sar? Cesar?

Jon

  (11:55 AM)

I think Casillas is still the world's best at the moment. Van der Sar has an incredible defence in front of him, but Casillas has had to put up with Madrid's defending and is still viewed as one of the best around. So he gets my vote.

Mike (Williamsburg, VA)

What do you think Jon--Can Jose Mourinho overcome the defensive injury crisis he is facing an nick one at Old Trafford?

Jon

  (11:56 AM)

He would love it. I can just see him running down the touchline now. Well, Inter I think have a good chance. An away goal and everything is in their favour. The headlines write themselves, so would like to see it happen.

Jeff (ambler, pa)

Do you think the Manchester United-Inter game will be worth skipping class for on Wednesday? Or will it just be Fergie and the Special One playing life-size chess for 90 minutes?

Jon

  (11:57 AM)

Obviously class should never be skipped :-) But no, I actually think it'll be a pretty tight affair. Barcelona v Lyon might be the best of the ties in midweek if you're after excitement and goals.

Evan (NYC)

I know Mourinho has said in the past that he would love to return to Chelsea, but if Hiddink isn't going to be the manager of the future is there any chance Jose comes back?

Jon

  (11:59 AM)

Ha, well he'd have to rebuild the bridges with Rnman. It would be the story of the summer, but I think he's more concerned with Man Utd at the moment.

Jon

  (12:00 PM)

That's it for now guys and gals. Enjoy the games tonight and put all your questions to Shaka Hislop LIVE during the matches.