Europe heats up!
Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg
Real Madrid vs. Liverpool
Real Madrid sit 3rd in La Liga and very much in a title race as they take on Liverpool who sit 6th in the Premier League and are chasing top four. Real Madrid go into this game having both of their games since the Round of 16 while Liverpool have also won both of their last two games. This is of course a replay of the 2018 Champions League final played over two legs. Ramos and maybe Hazard will be missing for the game while Liverpool have the usual players out. It’s an interesting game for sure and both teams will be focusing on this competition for sure.
Man City vs. Dortmund
City sit 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League and will be focusing on the Champions League for sure having won both their games since the Round of 16. Dortmund have won 1, drawn 1, and lost 1 which basically encapsulates their season as they sit 5th in the table 7 points from top four. Dortmund aren’t in great form and they would really need some big performances to get anything out of City over two legs. Haaland could cause problems for City while there are players like Hazard, Reus etc. City though are in great form and this should be a relatively easy fixture over two legs.
Bayern Munich vs. Paris Saint Germain
Bayern have won both their games since the Round of 16 and are sitting 7 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga as they take on PSG who are suffering at the moment. PSG have won 1 and lost 1 and their inconsistency this season has put them in the middle of a title race and 2nd in the table. Bayern are the favourites for the competition and while PSG beat Barcelona this will be a big test for Pochettino. It’s a big game for both teams but Bayern can probably afford to focus on PSG while PSG are fighting on all fronts. A fiery game over two legs.
Europa League Quarter-Final 1st Leg
Arsenal vs. Slavia Praha
Arsenal got through on away goals as they lost the 2nd leg in London and then have drawn 1 and lost 1 since. Slavia Praha are 14 points clear in the Czech league and have won 1 and drawn 1 since their last Europa League game as they can focus properly on the competition. Arsenal sit 10th and Arteta will also have his eyes on the Europa League but Slavia are tricky and they could cause an upset over two legs. Arsenal were terrible against Liverpool and Slavia will know there is space to take advantage.
Granada vs. Man United
Granada sit 9th in La Liga and have lost their last 3 including the Round of 16 2nd leg but they managed to get through on away goals. United are 9 points clear of 4th as they sit 2nd in the Premier League and Ole will be concentrating on a solid performance in the Europa League. United should comfortably win this game over two legs and will probably have it in the bag in the 1st leg itself.
Ajax vs. AS Roma
Ajax sit 11 points clear at the top of the Eredivisie while Roma sit 7th in Serie A. Its an interesting game for sure as both teams have talented players but overall Ajax are in better form albeit in a weaker league. Two teams that were fighting in the Champions League 2 seasons ago, both will want to get back into the competition. Roma might see this as the most realistic chance. Very close over two legs.
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Villarreal
Zagreb sit top of the Croatian League on goal difference while Villarreal sit 6th in La Liga and are looking at the Europa League as a realistic path into the Champions League. Emery will know that a win against Zagreb sets up a game against Arsenal and he will have a personal vendetta against the Gunners after the way he was treated by the club.
Serie A (Games in hand)
Juventus take on Napoli as they play their game in hand. Juventus can go into 3rd with a win while Napoli can go into 4th with the a win which would mean that Juventus dropped out of the top four. A big game for both teams. Inter take on Sassuolo and a win for Inter would take them 11 points clear at the top of the table while Sassuolo sit 9th and have no real incentive at the moment. Big games in the context of top four and the title race.
Park The Bus 