The quarter-finals of the Champions League and Europa League start this week, with all eight first matches in both competitions taking place between Tuesday and Thursday.
Among the most exciting clashes are repetitions of the Champions League final 2018 and 2020 between Real Madrid and Liverpool and Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Arsenal who are fighting against a dangerous side of Slavia Prague and Manchester United who face Granada in their first ever season participating in European competition.
Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund All eyes will be on Erling Haaland against Man City | Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
What time is running? 20.00 (BST)Where is it played? Etihad StadiumTV channel? BT Sport 3 (UK)
Manchester City come close and personal with Erling Haaland before the summer transfer window when Borussia Dortmund take to the pitch at the Etihad Stadium.
Dortmund are not in pace in the Bundesliga’s top four race and may be struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League, but they have been strong in Europe this season.
City are in a good position, after seeing a German opponent in the final round, as their comfortable lead in the Premier League allows them to focus on Europe.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid vs LiverpoolLiverpool last met Real Madrid in the Champions League final 2018 | Soccrates Images / Getty Images
What time is running? 20.00 (BST)Where is it played? Estadio Alfredo di StefanoTV channel? BT Sport 2 (UK)
When this draw was made last month, attention immediately turned to the idea that Mohamed Salah would take revenge on Sergio Ramos after the events of the 2018 final.
That story has taken a bit of trouble since Ramos was ruled out of both legs through injury, while Jurgen Klopp has also made it clear that this is not “a revenge tour” for the Reds.
It will be a big night for Liverpool center-back Nat Phillips and the team in general is returning to some form of form against a less than old Real Madrid side.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-1 Liverpool
Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-GermainPSG face a Bayern Munich side without Robert Lewandowski | Xavier Laine / Getty Images
What time is running? 20.00 (BST)Where is it played? Allianz ArenaTV channel? BT Sport 3 (UK)
The tone of this tie, a repeat of the 2020 final, changed with the news that a knee injury in international service will keep Robert Lewandowski away from both legs.
It is a big blow for Bayern, whose only back-up ‘number nine’ is ex-PSG striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. And while the owners are still an exceptional side, it gives a very good PSG greater chance than they might have had if Lewandowski could play.
Neymar and Kylian Mbappe will line up on the opposite side for PSG.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 2-1 Paris Saint-Germain
Porto vs Chelsea Thomas Tuchel’s undefeated record as Chelsea manager was destroyed by West Brom | Pool / Getty Images
What time is running? 20.00 (BST)Where is it played? Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan (Sevilla)TV channel? BT Sport 2 (UK)
Chelsea’s first defeat under new coach Thomas Tuchel came at the worst possible time, with the Blues beating at home by beating West Brom just four days before meeting Porto.
West Brom revealed big holes in Chelsea’s defense and although Porto may have been considered the most favorable draw, the Premier League side will see it as a potential path to victory.
The only thing that counts against Porto, who conquered Juventus in the final round, is that their home ground is kept on neutral ground in Spain due to coronavirus restrictions and so that they lose a true home advantage.
Prediction: Porto 2-2 Chelsea
Ajax vs RomaAjax have done well since jumping out of the Champions League | Soccrates Images / Getty Images
What time is running? 20.00 (BST)Where is it played? Johan Cruyff ArenaTV channel? BT Sport 3 (UK)
Ajax and Roma could all have been considered potential Europa League winners this season, but only one of them makes it to the semi-finals after being drawn against each other.
Ajax knocked out a strong Lille side in the last 32 after leaving the Champions League, before an easier ride against the Young Boys in the 16s.
Roma meanwhile topped their group before beating Braga in the first knockout round and then enjoyed an impressive overall victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Prediction: Ajax 1-1 Roma
Arsenal vs Slavia PragueArsenal must be careful with Slavia Prague’s threat | Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images
What time is running? 20.00 (BST)Where is it played? Emirates StadiumTV channel? BT Sport 1 (UK)
Slavia Prague have beaten Leicester and new Scottish champions Rangers in the last two rounds of the Europa League and cannot be underestimated by Arsenal.
The Gunners did the job in the final round against Olympiacos in the first stage and were beaten at home in the second. They are also still fighting in the Premier League and have not had the best preparation for this tough match in that sense.
Arsenal should have the quality to win this match and a draw, but Slavia has won 2-0 in both away games against British opposition already this season.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Slavia Prague
Dinamo Zagreb vs VillarrealDinamo Zagreb knocked out Tottenham in 16 years | Kodrun / Getty Images jury
What time is running? 20.00 (BST)Where is it played? Maksimir StadiumTV channel? BT Sport ESPN (UK)
Dinamo Zagreb pulled in an unlikely total comeback against Tottenham in the 16s and won 3-0 after extra time at home in the second round after losing 2-0 in London in the first.
Spurs were a big scalp for the Croatian champions as they were among the teams that liked to lift the trophy, which will give them confidence to beat someone else.
Villarreal are defensively strong and have only conceded once in four knockout matches against Red Bull Salzburg and Dynamo Kiev so far in the competition.
Prediction: Dinamo Zagreb 0-1 Villarreal
Granada vs Manchester UnitedMan Utd have won both Europa League knockout away this season | Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
What time is running? 20.00 (BST)Where is it played? New Los CarmenesTV channel? BT Sport 2 (UK)
Manchester United probably could not have wished for a more favorable move at this stage of the competition, with Granada playing their first season of European football ever.
The Spanish club, which played second division football 2018/19, denied Ole Gunnar Solskjær a potential reunion with Molde by knocking them out in the 16s.
In each of the two knockout rounds so far, United have actually done business from home and won away against both Real Sociedad and AC Milan.
Prediction: Granada 0-1 Manchester United
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