After the results Manchester United and Liverpool achieved this week I'd have my money on an all-English Champions League semi-final. But if one of our teams are going to slip up in the second leg, I feel it's more likely to be Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

That might sound strange given that United are at home to Deportivo La Coruna with a 2-0 advantage, whereas Liverpool travel to Bayer Leverkusen leading 1-0. But I always fancy Liverpool away in Europe and United can't yet consider themselves home and dry.

They'll be without two world-class midfielders in Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, because of injury and suspension, and possibly without David Beckham and Juan Sebastian Veron because of knocks. To lose all four would be a big blow against a side of Deportivo's quality.

A personal hunch is that Beckham will be fit. Diego Tristan's tackle on him was scandalous but I don't think it will be a long-term problem for the England captain. If he does recover, United would have a strong midfield with Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs. Veron would be the ideal fourth man but if he's not around I know who I'd draft in.

Phil Neville has the know-how and the experience for the occasion. Although he's not a natural midfielder he could slot into the middle alongside Butt or even operate on the right, with Beckham in the playmaker role.

The shame for United is the tie isn't out of sight. They gave a sensational performance on Tuesday and Giggs had two smashing situations in the second half. If he'd tucked one away Deportivo would be coming only for a cup of tea and a shopping expedition.

As it is, the game's still open. Deportivo's 2-0 win at Highbury last month showed what they're capable of and they beat United at Old Trafford earlier in the season. If they get the first goal there may be some jitters.

Even at 2-0 United have the problem of whether to charge for a third goal or sit on what they've got. I think they have to go forward positively but without being cavalier.

If they overcommit and leave big gaps in midfield the Spaniards have players - Juan Carlos Valeron and Sergio - who can exploit that. Butt will be an important figure in the holding role.

The same goes for Liverpool's Dietmar Hamann at Leverkusen. Gérard Houllier's team will have to turn in another famous performance but their away form is superb. I fancy them to score and not concede more than one.

There's no doubt they've got the grinders' mentality. They're not on a level with the Liverpool sides of the 70s and 80s, who could control games. But they play with a big spirit.

There's no frills about their back line and Jerzy Dudek is excellent in goal. The fitness of Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen will obviously be important, and those two are always on a knife-edge, but I think Leverkusen are poor at the back and will concede on the break.

They'll have Jens Nowotny back and he's a bit of a linchpin, but I don't fancy them on the right of defence. They'll miss Carsten Ramelow's protection from midfield because he's suspended and I think Emile Heskey established a big psychological thing on them.

Sometimes Heskey doesn't look the brightest player in the world but he worked extremely hard, put them under pressure and made them very aware of him. Liverpool always know that Owen or Heskey can get a goal.

If their display typified what's got them this far, United's in Spain showed what makes them dangerous. They're best playing at a high tempo, coming at opponents from so many angles that even the best sides go under.

Giggs was excellent through the middle, a role he played brilliantly for United when he came to Aston Villa about 10 years ago. He's not only quick, he can run at centre-backs at pace.

A lot of quick players can't manipulate the ball as well as he does, and Owen would be an example. On the other hand Owen would probably have tucked away the chances Giggs had in La Coruna.

I expect United to score on Wednesday but even that's not game over. The good news is their defence looked far more solid and decisive in Spain and, injuries permitting, I expect them to progress. Then we can look forward to a Battle of Britain.

· You've read the piece, now have your say. Email your comments, be as frank as you like, we can take it, to football.editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk .