Champions League, 7.45pm, ITV1, bet here

A bad day for polite society as word arrives that record immigration levels have brought the country no economic benefit. Where to stand? Put the fences up at Dover, but with exceptions for the house-cleaning and child-watching workforce? Or leave the flow unchecked - the quality of plumbing has never been higher - until the children’s places at secondary school are taken by out-of-towners, and then quietly phone the authorities? Probably best to just go back to bed.

While the politicians fret, however, Sir Alex Ferguson embarks on his own annual cultural exchange programme to Italy, including, for a select minority, a visit to a local hospital. United must be feeling that this is their year in Europe, with the last eight made up of three other English teams who currently lie beneath them, and four not particularly strong European sides, including a Barcelona in meltdown and a Roma missing Totti and Perotta. Not to mention it being the 50th anniversary of Munich. It’s Sir Alex’s for the taking. If he can just get his immigrants to do as they’re told.

The statistics

* United haven’t won on their last four visits to Italy, losing three and drawing one

* The average goals per game from Roma and United’s last four meetings is 3.5

* Roma have scored in every home game this season and Manchester Utd have failed to score in only two of twenty-one away games this season

For more statistics on the Premier League title race head to chickendinner

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