TUESDAY:
BENFICA V LIVERPOOL
Benfica will be massive underdogs in this tie and they're probably the weakest side left in the competition. But they're still a side not to be underestimated as they got out of a group containing Bayern Munich and Barcelona plus they knocked out Ajax in the last round which not many people were expecting.
Their underdog mentality could serve them well in this tie like it has done already in this competition.
Liverpool did not have an easy afternoon against Watford on Saturday as Watford had some very good chances to score. But the reds got the job done like they were expected to do and they'll be going into this game with confidence.
The reds will believe that they can all the way this season because of the record they have in Europe and the quality of squad they have. They'll definitely win this tie as they have the quality to do so plus they can definitely beat whoever they face in the semi finals if they make it through.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I'm backing Liverpool to go ahead in this tie because they'll have more than enough quality to win this first leg. I think Benfica will make it difficult for them. But the reds should still have enough to gain the upper hand in this tie.
MAN CITY V ATLETICO MADRID
Man City's season could well be decided within the next couple of weeks as they have both legs of this tie to play along with both Premier League and FA Cup clashes against Liverpool. It could well be their most crucial period of the season because how important these four games are.
Their Champions League credentials will be put the test in this one because of how tough Atletico Madrid are to play against. The Spanish side may not be one of the favourites to win this competition, but they can prove to be a tough test for any side.
Diego Simeone beat Pep Guardiola the last time the two managers faced each other back in 2016 when Pep was at Bayern Munich with Simeone's Atletico beating them in the semi finals. This will give Simeone and his side confidence going into this game because he'll believe that he can beat Pep again having done it before.
PREDICTION: 2-0
Atletico will try and make it difficult for City. But I still think City will have enough to win this first leg. They always find a way to win games and I can see them do exactly that in this one.
WEDNESDAY:
CHELSEA V REAL MADRID
Chelsea were all over the place against Brentford on Saturday from start to finish which is never like them as they're usually very solid defensively. The change in formation to a 4-3-3 didn't work and I expect Thomas Tuchel to revert to the three at the back in this one.
The Blues beat Real Madrid in the semi finals last season en route to Champions League glory and they'll be believing in themselves to do it again. But this time they'll be expecting a tougher game as Real are much better side than they were last season.
Real Madrid proved that they can beat anyone on their day in the last round against PSG where they showed great character to come from behind to win the game. That spell where they were on top changed the game completely as they took advantage of some poor PSG defending.
This tie will be tougher than the PSG one because Chelsea are much better defensively and are much better at seeing games out. Real will still fancy their chances but they'll still be expecting a tough game here.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I think Chelsea will edge this one as I think they'll have enough in both departments to win the game. They may have been woeful against Brentford on Saturday, but I think Tuchel to revert to the back three and get a response out of his players.
VILLARREAL V BAYERN MUNICH
Villarreal will be feeling confident going into this game after knocking out a European giant in Juventus in the last 16. They were impressive in both departments in that game and they'll need to be exactly the same in this one against another European giant in Bayern Munich.
This game will without a doubt be their toughest of their toughest of the competition so far because of the calibre of players they will be up against. Bayern an look vulnerable defensively but going forward they're one of the best teams in Europe.
Bayern Munich really showed up in the second leg against Salzburg in the last 16 which was probably expected as they had a point to prove after a poor performance in the first leg. Their big name players turned up like they usually do and when they do it's hard to stop them.
They'll be expecting a difficult game here as Villarreal can be a tough team to play against. Bayern will still be favourites to win this tie, but it won't as straightforward as they think.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I'm backing Bayern to gain the upper hand in this tie as I think they'll have enough going forward to win the game. Villarreal will make it difficult for them but Bayern's quality in the final should still be enough for them.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURE:
BURNLEY V EVERTON
Burnley didn't really turn up against Man City on Saturday as they sat off them too much and didn't cause them any problems. The result wasn't a complete thrashing but their performance on the day was poor and not like them.
They'll need to play better in this one as this game is a very important one in their season with it being against a fellow relegation rival in Everton.
Everton put in a better performance in their defeat to West Ham on Sunday but they were ultimately let down by some costly mistakes. These mistakes are becoming a theme for the Toffees this season and they'll need to cut them out if they're to stay up.
The Toffees' current form away from home is probably the worst in the league as they've lost their last 5 away games and haven't won on the road since August. With this being another game on the road for them, it would not be a surprise to see them lose here.
PREDICTION: 1-1
This is a must win game for both sides and they both go into this game in poor form. The odds will be going towards a Burnley win because of how poor Everton are away from home. But as the Clarets have struggled to score goals this season, I reckon Everton might nick a draw here.
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