The business end of the Champions League starts tonight – the much awaited Quarter finals. We have an all English tie with Tottenham vs Manchester City and Liverpool host Porto. While tomorrow Ajax will battle the mighty Juventus and Manchester United will have home advantage against Barcelona.
For the first time in a very long time there are 4! yes 4 English teams in the Quarter Finals, but can they progress to the Semis? Will the in form Messi be the undoing of Solskjaer and his team at Old Trafford? Will this season’s surprise package Ajax cause yet another upset? Who will win the Champions League?
All these will be answered in the coming weeks – Read my preview below
Tottenham Vs Manchester city
These two do not need an introduction; In the all English tie Tottenham will welcome City and play the first Champions League match in their new home. The North London side had to rely on a win in the last game week of the group stage to qualify. While City were comfortable group winners.
Tottenham will have to be wary of City after the Manchester side demolished Schalke 10-2 in the last round; While Spurs will take a lot of confidence from their impressive performance to see off Borussia Dortmund 4-0.
City might be having an impressive season and on course for a Quadruple, However i feel this tie will be decided in the first leg. While City are still fighting in three competitions with one already in the cabinet; spurs on the other hand have less to concentrate and this tie will be one of their main focuses. If Spurs can use their new stadium and atmosphere to their advantage, with a fully fit squad, If they can take a 2/3 goal lead to the Etihad then they have something to defend and could go on to cause an upset.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool Vs Porto
Many would say Liverpool got one of the easier draws however Porto shouldn’t be underestimated; After all they are in the Quarter Finals on merit. However Liverpool are improved remarkably this season, they are title contenders domestically and quite comfortably dispatched a good Bayern Munich side in the previous round.
The reds have greater depth in their squad and with the likes of Salah, Van Dijk, Mane and Firmino all in good form there is no reason why they can’t go one better than last season and win the competition.
Porto shouldn’t be written off though, they are a different outfit to the one that lost 5-0 to Liverpool in the round of 16 last season. They have enough to test Liverpool’s rear guard but in the end the Reds quality should come through.
Prediction: Liverpool
Manchester United Vs Barcelona
When the draw for the round of 16 was made and Manchester United were drawn against PSG, No one would of backed Mourinho’s side to progress. A team struggling for form, Players falling out with the manager; their season was beginning to unravel. Mourinho was sacked and in came Ole Gunnar Solskjaer til the end of the season – a bold move. A move that seems to have worked, The team went on an unbelievable winning streak, They are now back in contention to finish in the Top Four – something that looked unlikely when Mourinho was sacked. But most importantly they pulled off a stunning comeback against PSG to progress to the Quarter finals; Solskjaer’s contract has since been made permanent.
While the form of Rashford and Pogba is much improved since the arrival of Ole; Do they have enough to knock out the catalan giants?
Barcelona are on course for a second successive title, Lionel Messi seems to be in the form of his life and their record against United in recent times is very good. Philippe Coutinho may also have something to say, the ex Liverpool player knows how much it means to score against Manchester United and knock them out; He is also heavily linked to make a move to Old Trafford in the summer.
United will be very resilient and will look to soak up large amounts of pressure as they did against PSG but they will surely succumb to the constant waves of Barcelona attacks and constant possession – I can only see one winner.
Prediction: Barcelona
Ajax Vs Juventus
Ajax are no doubt the surprise package in this seasons competition; No one gave them a chance when they were drawn against the reigning champions Real Madrid but they beat them 5-3 on aggregate; Which included a magical night in Madrid where they humbled the champions 4-1 on their own turf.
Juventus had to work hard in the last round. They were up against it going into the second leg at home against Atletico Madrid; But Cristiano Ronaldo inspired the team to pull off the comeback.
Ajax boast some great youngsters mixed with a blend of experience; It’s a combination which seems to have served them well this season. Their attractive style of play will ensure they are the neutrals choice to go through but Juventus boast a lot of experience; And the Champions League is of the highest importance – the one they all want. Juventus could make that a possibility by sneaking past Ajax and ending their fairytale in a tight affair.
Prediction: Juventus
