Champions League Predictions (Quarterfinals)

The UEFA Champions League is now in the quarterfinals stage with the path to the Final in Istanbul clear for the eight teams remaining. As we are now in the final end of the season, it is now crunch time for these teams and we will see who will be crowned Champions of Europe. Here's the thoughts of the quarterfinals match-ups. 

Real Madrid v Liverpool 

A recap of the 2018 Final which saw Madrid win it, this is probably the most 50-50 of any of the other quarterfinal games as both teams have strengths but very noticeable flaws. Despite their struggles this season, Madrid are still in the race to win La Liga again and have improved after a indifferent start to the season, which almost saw them eliminated from the group stages, including a strong performance against Atalanta in the Round of 16. Liverpool look to have gone through their worst of not just this season but under Klopp's time at Anfield with six home defeats in a row, dropping them drop to sixth in the Premier League table. Two points off the Champions League places. They topped their group this season and beat RB Leipzig in the last 16 with Mohamed Salah their top scorer with 5 goals. Zidane's side will look to exploit Liverpool's defence, which has been depleted this season as Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak will face the biggest test of their careers so far. One that Liverpool have over Madrid is their attack, especially with the return of Diogo Jota from injury. Madrid have been very reliant on Karim Benzema for goals with Casemiro their second top scorer and will be without Sergio Ramos due to injury. Both teams are coming to this tie with some sort of momentum. Madrid should slightly edge it as they are more capable breaking Liverpool's defence over the two legs.

Likely to go through: Real Madrid 

Bayern Munich v PSG

Another recap of another Champions League Final. This time, it was last year's Final which saw the German Champions win it. Bayern Munich remain one of the best sides over the past 12 months despite having a title race in the Bundesliga. Hansi Flick's team topped their group unbeaten and swept aside Lazio in the last 16. Unfortunately for the defending champions, they will be without striker Robert Lewandowski, who is unavailable due to injury, meaning Flick would have to pick either Choupo-Moting, Gnabry or Müller up front. As for PSG, they have experienced some change with Mauricio Pochettino coming in following the departure of Thomas Tuchel. They are in a tense title race in Ligue 1 and have been inconsistent throughout the season, including in the Champions League. They topped their group which included Manchester United and RB Leipzig plus beating Barcelona in the Round of 16 with a 4-1 win at the Camp Nou. They will be without Marco Veratti due to injury but a lot would have to come from Neymar, who has left PSG wanting having missed crucial games due to injury and has been questioned regarding his attitude. PSG's threat will come from Kylian Mbappé, who scored a hat-trick at the Camp Nou, which the French Champions can use to exploit Bayern's high defensive line. Bayern go to this as favourites and despite being without Lewandowski, they would have too much for PSG to handle over the two legs so it's very likely that Bayern go through to the semifinals. 

Likely to go through: Bayern Munich 

Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund 

Manchester City look set to reclaim the Premier League title but also looks like they could win it all this season. Their quest to win the Champions League could end this season but they would have to reach the semifinals, something they have not done since 2016. They topped their group unbeaten and beat Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Round of 16. Following the arrival of Ruben Dias from Benfica, City have impenetrable this season and despite the lack of goals from Sergio Agüero and Gabriel Jesus this season, goals have shipped round the squad with İlkay Gündoğan their top scorer with 15 goals in all competitions. Borussia Dortmund are having a season to forget. They are seven points off the Champions League places with few games remaining, they are not reliable and have been porous defensively. They topped their group and beat Sevilla in Round of 16. Their biggest asset is striker Erling Haaland, who has scored 10 goals in the Champions League this season. Despite Dortmund's struggles this season, Haaland continues to score goals for Dortmund, becoming more reliant on the Norwegian who has the whole of Europe's elite trying to pull him out of Dortmund. He will be a threat to City over both legs but Dortmund's inconsistencies and City being capable of hurting teams in different ways, City should go through to the semifinals for the first time under Pep Guardiola.

Likely to go through: Manchester City 

FC Porto v Chelsea 

FC Porto are the weakest team of the last eight but that does not mean that they will be a pushover. They are a tough nut to crack under manager Sérgio Conceição, who has won two Primeira Liga titles and taken Porto to two quarterfinals appearances. They finished behind Manchester City in their group but produced the shock of the season by beating Juventus in the Round of 16. Their highest profile is Portuguese defender Pépé but have the likes of Moussa Marega and Sérgio Oliveira, who has scored 5 goals in the Champions League this season. Chelsea are on the up under Thomas Tuchel. They have a talented young squad whose potential is not realized yet. Their defense has been their strength under the German but have a great number of attackers that Tuchel can use in different situations. Mason Mount is the main man for this Chelsea for his vision and tactical flexibility. They will be hoping that Timo Werner can step up now for the Blues having gone through an underwhelming debut campaign. Goals might be hard to come by over the two legs bit Chelsea would have just enough to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2014.

Likely to go through: Chelsea