TUESDAY:
PSG V REAL MADRID
It will be interesting to see how Kylian Mbappe performs in this one as he's likely to move to Madrid in the summer. He's been linked with a move there for a number of years and the speculation of that could have a part to play in his performance on the day.
This season has to be PSG's best chance of winning the Champions League because of the fact they have Lionel Messi in their side. He hasn't quite been at his best since he's been at the club but he should turn up for this one because of the record he has against Real from his time at Barcelona.
Real Madrid have looked very good under Carlo Ancelotti this season with the club top of La Liga and looking like a more convincing team. Karim Benzema is still delivering the goods at 34 years of age and Vinicius Junior is finally delivering after a few inconsistent seasons.
Real will be the underdogs in this one as PSG arguably have the better squad on paper. They'll believe that they can win this tie as they know how to win these kind of games but they'll still go into this one as underdogs which could give them advantage.
PREDICTION: 3-1
I'm backing PSG to go ahead in this tie because they're at home and will have more than enough quality to win this game. They have been criticized for being a team of individuals but I think they'll come together and win this game.
SPORTING LISBON V MAN CITY
Sporting Lisbon made it out of a group containing Ajax and Borussia Dortmund whom they finished above to qualify for the knockout stages. They haven't reached this stage of the competition for a number of years and will be massive underdogs in this tie because of the quality they have compared to City's.
They're not having the best title defence in the Primeira Liga this season they're six points behind leaders Porto. They can still win the league but with Porto still unbeaten, retaining their title could be tough this season.
Man City will be desperate to win this competition after losing in the final last season plus its the one they want to win. They'll be one of the favourites like they have been for the last few years and they'll be looking to use last seasons final defeat as motivation to help them get over the line this season.
They put in their usual dominant display against Norwich at the weekend which will give them more confidence going into this game. They were excellent from start to finish like they are in most games and will be looking to produce a similar performance in this one.
PREDICTION: 0-3
I have to go for a City win here because I think they'll have more than enough quality to win this game. Sporting will try and make it difficult for them as they're solid defensively but City should still have enough to go ahead in this tie.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURE
MAN UNITED V BRIGHTON
Man United are struggling to see games out at the moment having drawn their last 3 in all competitions after taking the lead. They didn't look like grabbing a winner against Southampton at the weekend because of their lack of effort both in and out of possession which lead to some criticism from opposing manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Brighton could benefit from United's failure to see games out as they're good at coming from behind to grab a result. They've picked up 11 points from losing positions this season which is more than any other team and they could grab another point or more here because of United's failure to hold on to leads.
PREDICTION: 1-1
I'm going for a draw here because of United struggling to see games out and Brighton having a good record of picking up points from losing positions. This looks like the perfect game for both things to happen and I think they will.
WEDNESDAY:
INTER MILAN V LIVERPOOL
Inter Milan have had a challenging title in Serie A defence this season which was probably expected after losing star striker Romelu Lukaku and manager Antonio Conte. It was always going to be tough for them after losing those two and to be fair they've done pretty well as they're in another title with a game in hand.
Inter finally made it out the group stages this season after failing to qualify for the knockouts for the last three seasons. They got out of a fairly straightforward group with Real Madrid as the only serious contender and this one will be another big test for them with it being against another top side in Liverpool.
Liverpool had to battle for their win at Burnley on Sunday and I say battle in that they had to fight the weather and Burnley's resilience to claim the win. They'll be expecting another tough test in this one as Inter are very strong defensively and have home advantage. The weather shouldn't be as bad as it was at Turf Moor but the reds will be expecting a tough game.
The Reds had a 100% record in the group stages which played a big part in them winning the group comfortably. That record will give them confidence going into this one because they had to beat some tough teams on their way to topping the group. They'll be looking to use that knowhow in this one with this game being against another tough side in Inter.
PREDICTION: 1-2
I'm backing Liverpool to gain the upper hand here because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. Especially with Salah and Mane back. Inter will give them a game but I think the reds will just edge it here.
RED BULL SALZBURG V BAYERN MUNICH
Salzburg were in arguably the weakest group of the competition this season as it also contained the likes of Sevilla, Wolfsburg and Lille who are not the strongest of teams. They did qualify from the group which deserves some credit as not many people would've given them a chance due to the quality of their team.
They'll be massive underdogs in this tie as Bayern are the far superior team. They'll be happy that they have the first leg at home as home advantage can give a team the upper hand going in to the second leg. Bu if they are to get something from this first leg, they'll need to stay disciplined and organised because of the quality Bayern have in forward areas.
Bayern Munich are having their usual kind of season this year as they're again top of the Bundesliga with no serious challengers. Dortmund may be six points behind them but knowing Bayern and the quality they have, they'll still win the title reasonably comfortably.
The German champions will definitely be one of the favourites for the competition this season as they have a very strong squad on paper. When fit and firing their squad is without a doubt among the best in Europe and with a top class striker in Lewandowski leading their attack, they're a match for anyone.
PREDICTION: 0-4
I've got to go with Bayern to win this first leg because I think they'll be too strong for Salzburg. They have much more in quality compared to the Austrian side and because of that I can see them win this game comfortably.
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