Mid-week TV Preview April 22-24

All times UK

Tuesday
19.45 Liverpool v Chelsea, UEFA Champions League Semi-final 1st Leg, ITV1
Chelsea will want to keep this cagey and take the sting out of the Anfield crowd which has so ably assisted the Reds in past semi-final encounters. The second leg should be the better on the two.

Wednesday
19.45 Barcelona v Manchester Utd, UEFA Champions League Semi-final 1st Leg, Sky Sports 2 & HD2
This is more like it. Barca are not their imperious selves that won the Champions league in 2006, but they should be able to raise their game for the English champions. This tie may act as an effective swansong for Ronaldinho who is probably Milan bound at the end of the season. It should be a cracker and ITV will be delighted that they have the second leg, as should anyone who does not have Sky.

Thursday
1.50 Sao Paulo v Atletico Nacional, Copa Libertadores, Setanta Sports 2
Top two clash in Group 7. Both teams are level on eight points. Audax Italiano, in third, are only one point behind. Neither team can afford to draw this match for fear of being caught. The loser will be tugging at their collars praying for a bad result for Audax. Early morning drama is promised.


19.45 Rangers v Fiorentina, UEFA Cup Semi-final 1st Leg, ITV4
The second semi final for the Rangers club in five days. The Italian team will prove stiffer opposition that St Johnstone who took Walter Smith's men to penalties.