Champions League Quarter Final Predictions: 1st Leg

TUESDAY:

REAL MADRID V BAYERN MUNICH

The Champions League is realistically the only thing that Real Madrid have left to play for this season as they're out of the domestic cup competitions and are a long way off Barcelona in La Liga.

They usually go on to win the Champions League when they're not having their best season domestically because of the history they have with this competition along with their obsession with it.

They showed in the last 16 against Man City that they're a team not to be ruled out and especially in the first leg and they'll need to show it again in this one.

Bayern Munich are my favourites to win this competition because of the form they've been in all season and the quality and depth they have in attack.

The options they have in attack are frightening and because of this you have to seriously consider them as one of if not the favourites to win this competition.

Vincent Kompany's side don't have a great record against Real Madrid with their last win against them coming in the semi finals back in 2012.

But they'll still go into this tie as favourites because of the form they're in and I think they'll take the lead in this tie because of this and the quality they possess in attack.

PREDICTION: 1-2

SPORTING LISBON V ARSENAL

Sporting pulled off an incredible comeback in the last 16 against Bodo/Glimt which made sure that they didn't become Bodo's latest Champions League scalp.

They'll be expecting a tougher tie in this one because of the quality of side they're facing in Arsenal and the form Arsenal have shown in this competition.

But I do think they'll make it difficult for them as they had a good League Phase by finishing 7th and they even beat PSG which shows that they're not a team to be taken lightly.

It wasn't been a great two weeks for Arsenal following their defeat in the Carabao Cup final to Man City followed by their FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton.

They again looked disappointing against Southampton with Max Dowman being their best player which says a lot about their performance.

They did have a number of players missing through injury in that game but they still should've showed more and they needed to after what happened two weeks before.

Mikel Arteta's side need to put in a performance here no matter how many players they're without due to injury but I'm not sure we'll see one because of the players Arsenal are without.

With Sporting being strong at home alongside that, I think the Portuguese side will take a draw with them into the second leg.

PREDICTION: 1-1

WEDNESDAY:

BARCELONA V ATLETICO MADRID

These two sides met four times already this season with Barca wining three of them including their most recent encounter on Saturday at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Their win over weekend will definitely give Barca a lot of confidence heading into this game and especially as they'll be at home for this first leg.

Their record since returning to the Nou Camp has been incredible as they've won every game and I can see that record continuing in this one.

Atletico knocked Barca out of this competition at this very stage 10 seasons ago on their way to reaching the final.

They lost the first leg of that tie at the Nou Camp before beating them at home thanks to an Antoine Griezmann double.

History could well repeat itself here as I'm backing Barca to take the lead in this tie because of their brilliant record since returning to the Nou Camp.

But I think Barca could give Atletico a tough task for the second leg because I think they'll win this game rather comfortably.

PREDICTION: 4-1

PSG V LIVERPOOL

PSG beat Liverpool in the last 16 last season and dominated both games despite needing a penalty shootout to win the tie.

They taught Chelsea a lesson in the last 16 by beating them comfortably in both legs and I have a feeling they'll do the same in this one because of the form Liverpool are in and how easy to play against they've been for most of the season.

Liverpool were all over the place against Man City on Saturday and especially defensively as most of the goals they conceded were poorly defended.

The reds have fared better in Europe than they have in the Premier League this season which does give them a glimmer of hope.

But their defensive vulnerabilities are hard to ignore and and after seeing Man City expose them on Saturday, I can only see PSG do the same in this one.

I think they'll put this tie beyond the reds' reach in this first leg by wining this game rather comfortably and convincingly.

PREDICTION: 4-0