Post by Taxigirl on Dec 12, 2003 9:28:32 GMT
Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea will learn their first opponents in the Champions League knockout stage when the draw is made on Friday.
The three English clubs each topped their qualifying tables and will avoid other group winners in the draw for the last 16, which starts at 1100 GMT.
And Uefa rules also dictate that they will not face each other or the second-placed teams in their groups.
Ties will be played on 24/25 February, with the second legs two weeks later.
Joining the English sides among the group winners are tournament favourites Real Madrid, last year's champions AC Milan, Juventus, Monaco and Lyon.
The runners-up include Stuttgart, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sparta Prague, Porto and the ever-dangerous Bayern Munich.
But the biggest threat to the group winners may come from three strong Spanish sides - Celta Vigo, Deportivo and Real Sociedad - all of which are eligible to play any of England's representatives.
Arsenal and Chelsea may hope to avoid German outfit Stuttgart, who proved their Champions League credentials by beating Manchester United 2-1 at home.
And United may wish to sidestep the latest in a line of titanic battles with 2001 winners Bayern Munich.
Track records suggest that a pairing with Sparta Prague or Lokomotiv Moscow could provide an easier route to the quarter-finals.
But all group winners will be aware of the possible pitfalls of playing in eastern Europe during the coldest months of winter.
Lokomotiv coach Yuri Syomin is hoping to draw Chelsea in the last 16.
"I would like to face Chelsea in the next round as Roman Abramovich would then bring his team to Moscow and it would be a big event for the whole country."
The eight runners-up will host the first legs in February and their opponents will have the luxury of playing at home second on 9/10 March.
Group winners:
Lyon
Arsenal
Monaco
Juventus
Manchester United
Real Madrid
Chelsea
AC Milan
Runners-up:
Bayern Munich
Lokomotiv Moscow
Deportivo La Coruna
Real Sociedad
VfB Stuttgart
FC Porto
Sparta Prague
Celta Vigo