Predictions: Champions League quarter-finals

It's April which means we're approaching the business end of the European football season.

This week sees the first legs of the Champions League quarter-finals with some mouth-watering ties in prospect.

Matchday FM pundits Chris Coughlin and Chris Stott give their opinions on who will make the final four...

Man City vs Borussia Dortmund

Chris Coughlin

Both teams have the firepower to get through this tie but there is one deciding factor - I just don't see how Dortmund's shaky, porous defence keeps Manchester City out. Dortmund have lost 10 games in the Bundesliga this season and lie seven points off Eintracht Frankfurt in the final Champions League spot after a 2-1 defeat to the Eagles on Saturday. Their hopes of playing at Europe's top table next season rest solely on winning it this year. Those hopes, however, won't last beyond this next week in my opinion. City are simply too strong all over the pitch for Dortmund's attacking talents of Haaland, Reus and Hazard to make a difference. With Lewandowski's injury for Bayern, I currently have City as favourites for the competition and I think there is pressure on Pep's men having all be sewn up another Premier League title.

Prediction: Manchester City

Chris Stott

City have been outstanding for such a long time now, and cruised to victory at the weekend moving them closer to confirming the title. Dortmund have stuttered in the Bundesliga despite their clear talent. With Sancho and Haaland they can and will score against anyone, but across the rest of the pitch there are clearly areas that City will be able to exploit. For me it comes down to who handles the opposing forward line the best, and Manchester City have been far superior in that aspect so I can see them moving step closer to a maiden UCL final.

Prediction: Manchester City

Real Madrid vs Liverpool

Chris Coughlin

Two of Europe's greatest clubs go head-to-head with plenty of recent history to focus on. Real Madrid won the most recent meeting of the sides in the 2018 final in Kiev while Liverpool put together arguably their finest two-legged European performance with a 5-0 aggregate win over the Spanish giants in 2009. Sergio Ramos' absence for Real is a big one as, even at the age of 35, he is a class above most defenders on the planet. He's a leader and a match winner. Zidane went with three at the back in their weekend win over Eibar which potentially highlights the lack of confidence in his options at the back going into this tie. For Liverpool, it's a gamechanger to have Fabinho and Jota back. For me, Fabinho is the best defensive midfielder in world football and Jota has carried on where he left off - scoring goals for club and country. It's an exciting tie and I'm going to let my heart rule my head on this one - I'll go for Liverpool to make the semi-finals.

Prediction: Liverpool

Chris Stott

Liverpool in Europe appear to be a different animal. They did look much more like their old selves against Arsenal. Madrid have had several wobbles this season but are still very much in a La Liga title race. 10 unbeaten in all competitions means they are in a healthier position than their opponents. Klopp will be targeting this competition over the Premier League for me, and I think we will see a Liverpool side much like the one we expect during these games. The Centre Halves will have to be on their metal, but I can see the Reds outsourcing Real over the two matches.

Prediction: Liverpool, away goals maybe?

Bayern Munich vs PSG

Chris Coughlin

Last year's final, likes many in recent years, didn't live up to its billing as Bayern secured their sixth European Cup with Kingsley Coman's winner as the PSG academy product ruined his former side's big moment. Bayern Munich are without Lewandowski for both legs of the tie but it hasn't effected them so far in the Bundesliga as their 1-0 win over Leipzig has, in all likelihood, rubber-stamped yet another domestic title. PSG, meanwhile, just can't going under Mauricio Pochettino. We saw what they're capable of with their 4-1 demolition of Barcelona at the Nou Camp but they're currently three points off the pace in Ligue 1 after their 1-0 defeat to Lille at the weekend in which Neymar was sent off in injury time. I expect them to employ a counter-attacking style at the Allianz in the first leg in search of a precious away goal. This tie could genuinely go either way but Bayern's form is making me side with the Bavarians regardless of Lewandowski's absence.

Prediction: Bayern Munich

Chris Stott

Repeat of the 2020 final, and I think it will be the same outcome, only more handsome. PSG and Pochettino haven’t quite got firing on all cylinders, while Bayern have recently proved they can win 4-0 with 10 men for most of the game. They’ll miss Lewandowski but they have quality to fill in. And it's the team collective that makes them as good as they are, hence why I think they won’t have too many problems getting through. Prediction: Bayern

FC Porto vs Chelsea

Chris Coughlin

Porto fans are probably still pinching themselves at the fact they're in the quarter-finals. It was incredible display over the two legs of their last 16 tie against Juventus with Sérgio Oliveira's extra-time goal proving to be a decisive blow to Cristiano Ronaldo and co. Pepe was Man of the Match in the second leg in Turin and he may well need to be at his best once again if Porto are to dream of a repeat of their 2004 triumph. They'll also be inspired by Chelsea's collapse on Saturday against West Brom. Even before Thiago Silva's sending off, Chelsea looked as unorganised as they have done at any point under Thomas Tuchel so far. After the Brazilian's dismissal, chaos ensued. I have no doubt that Chelsea win this tie if they play at their best but Porto have plenty of ammunition to cause the Londoners problems.

Prediction: Chelsea

Chris Stott

Porto stunned Europe by knocking out Juventus, and you could say Chelsea did similar to getting past Atletico Madrid. These two are very much the outsiders in the UCL this term yet one will make the final. West Brom aside, the Blues have been excellent under Tuchel who will be itching to go one better than he did with PSG last season. Porto will throw everything they have at Chelsea, and I can see it being tight. But if Chelsea are at their best, they prevail.

Prediction: Chelsea