Premier League clubs enjoyed mixed success during their Champions League quarter-final first legs with both Liverpool and Manchester City earning wins but Chelsea suffering a disappointing defeat.
Liverpool are in a strong position to reach the last four for the first time since they last won the competition three years ago after beating Benfica 3-1 in Lisbon, while City have a 1-0 lead over Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea, however, will need to deliver a near-perfect performance against Real Madrid to progress after succumbing to a 3-1 loss courtesy of a Karim Benzema hat-trick.
There remains the possibility that Manchester City and Liverpool could meet in the Champions League final at the Stade de France and judging by the most recent Premier League enocunter between the teams, that would be a tantalising prospect.
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Here are i’s predictions for who will progress into the semi-finals:
Real Madrid vs Chelsea
First leg: Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid
Benzema became the fourth player to score a hat-trick in consecututive matches in the Champions League when Real Madrid won at Stamford Bridge, having previously done so in the dramatic comeback win over PSG in the last-16.
Chelsea seemingly put a disappointing week behind them by thrashing Southampton 6-0 on Saturday and Benzema’s exploits overshadowed the fact that Tuchel’s side had more shots and possession in the first leg.
While Tuchel insisted after the game that the tie was “over”, Chelsea may find solace in Barcelona’s 4-0 win at the Bernabeu a couple of weeks ago, while Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol also beat Real at home earlier in the campaign.
Semi-final prediction Man City vs Real Madrid
Bayern Munich vs Villarreal
First leg: Villarreal 1-0 Bayern Munich
Unai Emery won his first Champions League quarter-final game against the German champions who failed to convert any of their 22 shots on goal at Estadio de la Ceramica.
Villarreal’s ex-Premier League contingent caught the eye in the first game with ex-Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma scoring the winner and Tottenham loanee Giovani Lo Celso earning the Man of the Match award.
The La Liga side will be wary of a Bayern fightback, though, given Julian Nagelsmann’s side thrashed Red Bull Salzburg 7-1 in the last-16 second leg after drawing 1-1 in the first.
Semi-final prediction Liverpool vs Bayern Munich
Champions League semi-final schedule
The Champions League semi-final dates have yet to be officially finalised but are expected to take place on the following dates:
First legs:
- Tuesday 26 April
- Wednesday 27 April
Second legs:
- Tuesday 3 May
- Wednesday 4 May
Atletico Madrid vs Man City
First leg: Atletico Madrid 0-1 Man City
City hold a narrow 1-0 lead against Atletico who were widely criticised for their low defensive block, gamesmanship and limited ambition at the Etihad; Diego Simeone’s side failed to have a single shot.
But Pep Guardiola’s side will have to face a hostile Metropolitano stadium and a more adventurous Atletico in the second leg, with Joao Felix and Antoine Griezmann well capable of causing City problems.
However, a more gung-ho Atletico performance could suit City on the counter-attack, given the quality of their attacking players.
Phil Foden made the difference in the first leg with a special cameo off the bench and could be key once more.
Liverpool vs Benfica
First leg: Benfica 1-3 Liverpool
Liverpool secured a 3-1 win in Portugal and have one foot in the next round but Jurgen Klopp will do all he can to avoid another knockout scare after Inter Milan won at Anfield in the last-16.
Benfica may not be able to outplay Liverpool for even 45 minutes put they can have smaller spells of momentum which could force mistakes like Ibrahima Konate’s mis-kick that led to the highly-coveted Darwin Nunez scoring his fifth goal in the competition.
But Liverpool have been imperious at Anfield this season, losing just one of their 29 home games in all competitions, and are strong favourites to progress.
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