Eight target last four

Basinas blow
Porto seemingly face the more awkward task at Panathinaikos FC, having relinquished their unbeaten home record this term to Emmanuel Olisadebe's 73rd-minute goal at Das Antas. The Panathinaikos coach, Sergio Markarian, is not feeling the pressure. "The stress will be felt by Porto not us," he said. "We only have to play our own game, our fate is in our own hands." A man instrumental in the Greek club's success in Portugal, Angelos Basinas, has a thigh injury, while Porto central defender Pedro Emanuel is also ruled out.

No risks needed
Boavista are at home against Málaga CF, a side which qualified for the UEFA Cup through the UEFA Intertoto Cup. Boavista are missing two key players - Rui Oscar and Fernando Avalos - through suspension, and playmaker Edwin Sánchez is injured. The Spanish club, for whom Marcelo Romero is suspended, established an advantage through Julio Dely Valdés's goal on the Costa del Sol. "There's no need for us to risk everything going forward but it is important that we create chances and take them," said Málaga coach Joaquin Peiro.

Looking good
The top seeds, S.S. Lazio, and Liverpool FC, seeded second, are favourites to progress in the night's remaining two ties. Lazio are the third side at this stage hoping to defend a 1-0 lead after Simone Inzaghi, who has 'flu and will not play in Istanbul, struck at the Stadio Olimpico against Besiktas JK. Finalists in 1998, the Romans are unbeaten away from home this season. Roberto Mancini will look to Enrico Chiesa and Claudio López to maintain that record.

Wonderful season
Yet Besiktas are enjoying a wonderful season too and their record in the Turkish Super League, which they lead having lost none of their 23 games to date, suggests tonight's fixture should be an intriguing one. Pascal Nouma is likely to play having all but shaken off 'flu, though midfield player Tümer Metin is an injury doubt and Brazilian defender António Carlos 'Zago' is suspended.

Failure and success
Finally to Anfield, the home of the 2001 winners who laid the foundations for victory with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Celtic FC last week. The Scottish champions' cause has been hampered by the injury sustained by Chris Sutton in the League Cup final defeat by Rangers FC on Sunday, though Henrik Larsson is fit. Liverpool won the English equivalent earlier this month, a victory which has reignited their season.

'Up against it'
"We are up against it," said the Celtic manager Martin O'Neill. "But we have been up against it before and we will go and try to win the game. It would be massive to knock Liverpool out of the UEFA Cup." His opposite number, Gérard Houllier, added: "We do not want to slip up against Celtic. We are aware they are a good side - they showed it against us in the last game and we will not underestimate them."

Last four dates
The semi-final draw will be held on Friday in Nyon, Switzerland. The first leg will be played on 10 April, with the return to follow a fortnight later on 24 April. The final is scheduled for 21 May in Seville, Spain.