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The much-awaited phase of the footballing calendar has arrived as UEFA Champions League quarter-finals are set to get underway from 10th March.
A brimful of drama unfolded in the round of 16 stages of this elite European competition and the quarter-finalists we have are Ajax, Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Liverpool, FC Porto, Manchester United, and Barcelona. Destiny of these clubs was determined by the event of draws which was concluded on 15th March in Nyon and unsurprisingly we would be experiencing an array of high-profile clashes in the coming weeks.
The second knock-out phase of UEFA Champions League kickstarts on 11th March with an all-English tie between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. On the same night, Liverpool welcomes FC Porto at Anfield while on the very next day, Ajax will go toe to toe with Juventus and Manchester United will face off Barcelona at the Old Trafford.
After almost a decade, we have got four English teams to play in quarterfinals but will they maintain their majority in the semifinals or will history repeat itself? Can Messi magic yet again help Barcelona to qualify for further around? Will we witness yet another surprise package from Ajax?
Well, the coming weeks would provide us with the answers of above but at the moment all we can do is to predict the results of these immensely intriguing clashes between the European elites.
On that note, here are the interesting predictions for the quarter-finals of UEFA Champions League.
Also see : Womens World Cup Bracket, Copa America Standings, Gold Cup Standings
#4 Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur would welcome league rivals Manchester City at their new stadium for the first leg of this promising quarter-final tie and both the sides do not need any sort of introduction of each other.
The North London side required the very last game of the group stage to book their place the round of sixteen while the Manchester outfit comfortably topped the table of group F. Manchester City demolished Schalke in the round of 16 as they won by 10-2 on aggregate. Tottenham Hotspur can also keep their heads high and go into the quarters with a brimful of confidence as they put forth an outstanding performance to beat Borussia Dortmund by 4-0 on aggregate in the knock-out round.
Manchester City, without a pinch of doubt, are having a sensational season but the factors such as the psychological impact of Tottenham's new stadium, Spurs having fewer objectives than Manchester City on their drawing board this season, pressure of title race, their hectic run of fixtures, Spurs' fully fit squad, the tie could end in the favor of North Londoners.
It would be an immensely hard job for Tottenham to beat Manchester City and make into last four but Tottenham would provide a great fight to them. If they do attain a good lead at their new home and head to Etihad with a great determination, they can surely make into the semis and deliver a big surprise.
Winners: Tottenham Hotspur
#3 Liverpool vs FC Porto
It was widely proclaimed that Liverpool has got a relatively very easy draw but FC Porto has looked a really different side this season and surely boasts the potential to cause some problems to Reds' rearguard.
But, the fact which cannot be overlooked is Liverpool too has improved immensely this season. They are challenging for the Premier League title and has demolished Bayern Munich by three goals to one at their home in the round of 16.
Moreover, their depth squad has also enhanced to a great extent this season. The Merseyside club has so many reasons to go into this fixture with high confidence. Mohamed Salah has recently ended his goal-scoring drought, Henderson had a wonderful game as a substitute against Southampton last week while Van Dijk, Roberto Firmino and Sadio are also performing on a high note.
FC Porto's standout players for this season, Moussa Marega and Jesus Corona might provide a test but at the end, Liverpool would have too much quality and would make into the Semifinals.
Winners: Liverpool
#2 Ajax vs Juventus
Dutch outfit Ajax have been quite a surprise package in the Champions League this season. They sensationally knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League as they humiliated the reigning champions by four goals to one on their own stadium and ultimately won by 5-3 on aggregate.
While, on the other hand, Ronaldo inspired Juventus pulled out an incredible come back against Atletico Madrid in their quest for Champions League title.
Ajax have been quite amazing in Champions League this season and surely boasts an immense potential to trouble the Seria A giants. They have a brilliant defensive record this term and could make it difficult for Juventus.
But, given the fact that Juventus are in real seek of Champions League crown and given the presence of highly experienced and tuned players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Bonucci, Mario Mandzukitch, the Old Lady could edge Ajax and take a big step towards their Champions League dream.
Winners: Juventus
#1 Manchester United vs Barcelona
Manchester United have taken a big surge under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. They went into an incredible winning streak, went back into the top four race in the Premier League and pulled a phenomenal come back against Paris Saint-Germain.
Rashford, Pogba, Lindelof are having a favorable turn in their fortunes since Norwegian's management but would all these factors be enough to knock the Blaugrana powerhouse out?
Barcelona are enjoying yet another sensational campaign and are in pole position to seal second successive La Liga title. Predominately, Lionel Messi is in blistering form at the moment and it's really a piece of bad news for the Manchester outfit.
The Spanish outfit have a good record against the Manchester one in the recent memory. In 2011 final Barcelona beat United 3-1 with an inspired Lionel Messi, and in 2009 final they triumphed 2-0.
Manchester United might show great resilience but it would be an extremely hard job to resist the hammering of rogue waves by Lionel Messi & co and eventually, the Catalonia club would make into the last four.
Winners: Barcelona
