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Updated March 5, 2013 - 2:35PM.

*Starting Line-ups

Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs; NANI, Welbeck and Van Persie.

Real Madrid: Diego López; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao; Khedira, Xabi Alonso; Özil, Di María, Cristiano Ronaldo and Higuaín

Robin van Persie is known for losing his temper quite easily. The Dutch player will need to keep his cool on Tuesday as one booking would put him under a ban. The situation is similar for Rafael who was tasked by Alex Ferguson to mark Cristiano Ronaldo in the first leg of this tie at the Santiago Bernabeu. The same goes for influential defender Sergio Ramos and midfielder Xabi Alonso of Real Madrid. These four key players will need to play with caution.

Shinji Kagawa proved his intent to feature against Los Blancos with a hat-trick against Norwich City on Saturday. He made history by becoming the first Asian to net three goals in one match in the English Premier League. If played on Tuesday, he may cause troubles with his pace and desire to make a big impact on the international stage since quitting German football last summer.

All is well with Manchester United who are fresh from a 4-0 demolition of Norwich at Old Trafford. The Red Devils, who have a date with Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on March 10, are on a streak of 18 matches without defeat since featuring a second string side that lost 1-0 to CFR Cluj in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. 

More remarkably, Manchester united are the kings of comebacks, having lost only six of the 18 matches in which they have trailed this season. One thing Fergie and his men may want to avoid is deciding the tie through penalties. Records remind that the Red Devils have already wasted five of their nine spot kicks this season with Wayne Rooney, Chicharito, Nani and Robin van Persie being the culprits.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid seem revitalized since their 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United. They are eyeing their fifth consecutive victory in all competition since then. The Spanish giants are 71 goals away from equalling their 174-goal tally in 58 matches in all competitions last season. So far, they seem to be on the right track.

Cristiano Ronaldo is fearless in front of goal. He holds the most attempts on target (31) and has scored 16 goals in his last 14 European matches. However, Manchester United should be relieved to know that Ronaldo has also fired wide (15 times) more than any other player in the competition this season. Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and company would be glad to see their former colleague misfire at the Theatre of Dreams come Tuesday night. 

Angel Di Maria perhaps deserves more praise than he currently has. Like PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Argentine winger has made five assists in the UEFA Champions League already. Di Maria’s latest great contribution happened at the Bernabeu when his inch-perfect cross met Ronaldo who headed the ball home in stunning fashion. Having missed out Saturday’s league Clasico due to suspension, Angel Di Maria should be in great shape to take the Red Devils.

One player who must pray to avoid a nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams is Sergio Ramos. With 16 red cards, he has been sent off more than any other player in Real Madrid’s history. Three weeks ago, the World Cup and two-time European Championship defender was accused for failing to deny goal scorer Danny Welbeck at the Bernabeu. Sergio Ramos will be keen to build on Saturday’s match winner in El Clasico with an impeccable display in defence against Manchester United away from home.

Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid and Fergie's Manchester United are both gunning for cup glory this season. Who will get the better of the other when both clash in a decisive UEFA Champions League Last 16 second-leg match this Tuesday?

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Old Trafford return and personal duel against Wayne Rooney, Raphael Varane’s rise to greatness and Ryan Giggs’ 1,000th competitive appearance are some of several key things to watch out for on March 5.

Prediction

The tie is evenly poised at 1-1. A high-scoring draw would suffice the visitors who are obliged to score to stand a chance of going through. Manchester United are majestic on home soil but will they do enough to stay in the UEFA Champions League? Both Los Blancos and the Red Devils have shown weakness at the back. This could do for a great night of drama and goals.

Manchester United 2-2 Real Madrid 

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