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At the close of play on Wednesday evening, you’d be in a spot not to say that Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham are now the favorites to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals, with Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola already confidently able to turn their attention to their next European opponents. So the question on everyone's mind is, why does 2018 look like the year English clubs will once again be challenging for the Champions League crown?
Here are 5 reasons why:
#1 Pep Guardiola and his art of winning
Manchester City’s dominance of the Premier League this season makes them a clear favourite, and with a manager who has won Europe’s elite competition several times in his career already and a favourable draw up to this point, the smart money is on the Sky Blues.
The manner in which City have won their games is what’s so impressive, having failed to come up against any formation or tactic that seems to negate their patient, short-passing style. Guardiola has set his team up to play with a similar tempo to his infamous Barcelona side, but with more dynamic wingers in Sane and Sterling, who are given more creative freedom than the likes of Pedro at Barcelona, whose role was to provide Messi with the best opportunity to influence the game. Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva are his Iniesta and Xavi, with the former playing the best football of his career.
#2 Chelsea's never die spirit
The Blues sit a distant fourth place, with a Premier League defence out of reach as Man City lead the West Londoners by 19 points and are also knocked out of Carabao Cup. So their only hopes for lifting silverware lie on FA Cup or Champions League success.
Chelsea have also been unlucky with the draws, although this is partly down to their inability to win their group, but their recent form has been inconsistent and Conte’s cup pedigree has been called into question.
The Blues have the toughest fixture out of all the Premier League sides, as they prepare to face Spanish giants Barcelona second leg. With an impressive draw at home, Chelsea cannot be ruled out of contention for the biggest title in Europen club football.
#3 Liverpool's Strikeforce
Liverpool’s domination of FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão on Wednesday was one of the most dominant away performances by an English club in a Champions League knockout game for some time, and yet in terms of the quality of the football being played, it could only be considered an improvement on that played by Man City and Spurs due to the more impressive scoreline.
There are few sides in Europe with a more devastating front line than Liverpool right now, with PSG the only team currently able to boast more away goals than them this season, and their place in the quarter-finals is in doubt after their defeat to Real Madrid.
#4 The Spurs surprise factor
You never really know what you’re going to get from Spurs. On their day, Tottenham can give anyone a run for their money – but consistency is a problem for them. They currently sit fifth in the Premier League and it looks like they could be in a battle for a top-four spot right until the end of the season, which could get in the way.
They did exceptionally well to fight back from 2-0 down against Juventus in Turin last week to claim a draw, which gives them a great chance of progressing through. Mauricio Pochettino’s men have the talent to go far, but it will be a big ask for them to go all the way.
#5 Manchester United's experience
United are undoubtedly having the best season they have had since Sir Alex Ferguson left. The squad they currently possess, with an array of attacking options, is not far from being a title-winning team. They should comfortably secure a top-four place in the Premier League, which will allow Mourinho to turn his focus on to the Champions League.
Last season’s Europa League triumph should have given them valuable experience and stand them in good stead heading into the latter stages of the competition. Sevilla could prove a tricky test, but with the second-leg at Old Trafford, United should make it through.
