The Winter break is over Starry sky again

When they meet again in the second leg in two weeks’ time at the Bernabeu for their 16th overall competitive European clash they will set a record all-time European head-to-head tally, one more than the series of games between Real and Inter Milan.

Their previous 14 matches have seen nine wins for Bayern, four for Real with one match drawn but the Spanish champions start as favourites to emerge on top from this knockout round.

Real, who play their 100th Champions League match on Tuesday, are near peak form after forging five points clear in the Primera Liga with a 4-2 win at Espanyol on Saturday.

Coach Carlos Queiroz has no serious injury concerns and should be able to field his first choice side against Bayern.

That will mean a return to the starting line-up for David Beckham, who was suspended for the Espanyol game, and Luis Figo, who came on as a second-half substitute and showed no ill effects from his slight thigh muscle injury.

However, Bayern have a doubt over playmaker Michael Ballack, whose bronchitis kept him out of Germany’s 2-1 friendly win over Croatia last week. He has not been able to train properly since.

Bayern beat SV Hamburg 1-0 on Saturday to close the gap on leaders Werder Bremen but as well as missing Ballack they were without Germany keeper Oliver Kahn (back), who should return. European champions AC Milan will also be looking back at history as they aim to get past Sparta Prague, who have never scored a goal against them in four previous European meetings.

Sparta were busy in the transfer window but failed to make up ground on leaders Banik Ostrava on Saturday as their hopes of retaining the Czech title faded in a 0-0 draw with Pribram. But they will need to be on top form against a Milan team buoyed by a sensational 3-2 comeback win over Inter on Saturday. Milan are quoted by British bookmakers at 13-2 to retain the European Cup, Sparta at 150-1 to win it for the first time — and the odds on a Sparta upset in this tie are almost as great.

The English trio of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea face contrasting away legs this week.

Arsenal, who are also chasing an FA Cup and League double, look too strong for a Celta Vigo side struggling in the Spanish league — despite wins over Milan and Ajax Amsterdam in the group phase of this competition.