Real Madrid - Borussia Dortmund (PREVIEW)

Last season's semi final, when Borussia Dortmund beat Real Madrid and went through to the finals, will be repeated this time in the Quarter finals. However this year it should be a different scenario, as BVB are having a troublesome season, full of injuries to their key players. They will  also have to do without their main goalscorer Robert Lewandowski, who scored 4 times when they played against Real Madrid in the semis last season, due to a yellow card suspension. On the other side, Real Madrid have been in fantastic form this year, had a slight drop in form after the Classico loss, but returned to winning ways with a 5:0 win this weekend. With Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema up front they will be extremely hard to stop, especially because BVB are not very strong in defence.

Expected Lineups:

Real Madrid:
Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Modric, Di Maria; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema

Borussia Dortmund:
Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Hummels, Sokratis, Schmelzer; Sahin, Kehl; Grosskreuz, Mkhitaryan, Reus; Aubameyang

Our Prediction:
Real Madrid should score a few goals to carry a nice lead into the return match, but BVB will be highly motivated and dangerous on the counter-attack. Result: Real Madrid win 3:1.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Marco Reus (Photo: unitedcharity.de)

Manchester United - Bayern Munchen (PREVIEW)

The second match on Tuesday is a battle of two european giants: Manchester United and Bayern Munich. However the defending champions from Munich are strong favorites to beat their English rivals, who are having a disastrous season by their standards. Adding the injury of their star striker Robin Van Persie, it would be a huge surprise if they manage to trouble Guardiola's team.

Bayern do not have any major injury concerns, they will only have to be without Thiago alcantara, who got injured on Saturday and will be out from 6 to 8 weeks. However, they have such a strong squad so the absence of the talented Thiago will not affect them too much. Dante is suspended, so Boateng and J.Martinez will play at CB.

Expected Lineups:

Manchester United:

De Gea; Rafael/Smalling, Jones/Rio, Vidic, Buttner; Carrick, Fellaini, Giggs, Welbeck/Young, Kagawa; Rooney

Bayern Munich:

Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, J.Martinez, Alaba; Lahm; Robben, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Ribery; Muller/Gotze

Our Prediction:

Manchester United will be fighting hard to prove they are no pushovers, however Bayern have to much quality and should be able to beat them quite comfortably already in the away match and then confirm their place in the semi-finals at home. Result: 3:1 for Bayern.

Franck Ribery and Rafael in action. (photo: zimbio.com)

Barcelona - Atletico Madrid (PREVIEW)

This is a preview of the first Quarter-Final match between two spanish teams, currently 1st and 2nd in Primera Division. Atletico Madrid might be new in this stage of the Champions League, but be sure they will put up a big fight and try to prove they can overcome the Catalan giants. Barcelona still have the edge because of their experience and the fact that Lionel Messi is back in top form, however Atletico are still very strong. Last night Barca was hit with an injury to Victor Valdes who will miss the rest of the season due to injury, so Pinto will have to step in for him. This may be good news for Atletico, as Pinto is not on the same level as Valdes, who was having a great season until the unfortunate injury. There are no other injury concerns in Barcelona's squad and Atletico Madrid also have a full squad to choose from.

Expected Lineups:

Barcelona:
Pinto; Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Fabregas, Neymar, Messi

Atletico Madrid:
Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Felipe Luis; Gabi, Tiago, Turan, Koke; Raul Garcia/Villa, Diego Costa

Prediction: It will be a close affair, Atletico will be tight at the back and trying to get a goal on the counter-attack. Result: Barcelona win - 2:1.

Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid (Photo: warside24.com) 

Top 10 of our League

Here is the updated top 10 of our League:

Gale is our current leader, but Nivas Pontes, key, JUVENTUS and Jared Kubokawa are close behind.

Good luck in the Quarter finals!

Predicted Lineups - Return Matches II

Our predicted lineups for this weeks matches:

Real Madrid: Casillas - Nacho, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao - Illaramendi, Modric, Isco - Jese, Morata, Ronaldo 

Schalke: Fahrmann - Howedes, Matip, Papadopolous, Kolasinac - Goretzka, Neustadter - Obasi, Meyer, Draxler - Huntelaar/Szalai

Chelsea: Cech - Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta - Lampard, Ramires - Hazard, Willian, Schurlle - Eto'o

Galatasaray: Muslera - Eboue, Semih, Chedjou, Telles - Inan, Melo - Kurtulu, Sneijder, Yilmaz - Drogba

Manchester United: De Gea - Rafael, Vidic, Jones, Evra - Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Januzaj - Rooney, Van Persie

Olympiakos: Roberto - Salino, Manolas, Marcano, Holebas - Maniatis, Ndinga - Perez, Dominguez, Campbell - Valdez

BVB: Weidenfeller - Piszczek, Hummels, Sokratis, Schmelzer - Sahin, Kehl - Reus, Mkhitaryan, Grosskreuz - Lewandowski

Zenit: Lodigin - Anyukov, Hubocan, Lombaerts, Criscito - Witsel, Zyryanov - Hulk, Fayzulin, Shatov - Rondon 

Borussia Dortmund - Zenit St. Petersburg

Last season's finalists have a 2 goal advantage which should be enough to see them through to the Last 8. Zenit has changed their coach since the first match which can sometimes help the team and give them extra motivation, but BVB have the quality and experience to win.

Key Fantasy Players:

BVB: Piszczek, Reus, Lewandowski

Zenit: Witsel, Hulk

Our Prediction: An easy win for Borussia who is playing much better in the Champions League than in the Bundesliga. Result: 3:0

Mkhitaryan scoring vs Zenit.

Manchester United - Olympiakos (PREVIEW)

Manchester United will try to turn the match around after a disappointing loss in Greece (0:2). Expect them to attack straight from kick-off, with Rooney and Van Persie up front, anything is possible. The Greek champions did superb at home and will probably focus on protecting their advantage.

Key Fantasy Players:

Man Utd: Evra, Rooney, Van Persie

Olympiakos: Roberto, Maniatis, Campbell

Our Prediction: Man Utd will push as hard as they can and they have the quality to turn the match around. Result: 4:1.

Real Madrid - Schalke 04 (PREVIEW)

This match is already decided, Real Madrid has a 5 goal advantage after a 6:1 win in the first leg. They will probably rest some key players with the classico match against Barcelona already on their mind.

Key Fantasy Players:

Real Madrid: Varane, Isco, Jese

Schalke: Draxler, Huntelaar

Benzema, Bale and Ronaldo celebrating in the first match.

Chelsea - Galatasaray (PREVIEW)

After a 1:1 draw in the first match, this one is still wide open. Galatasaray has the quality to cause trouble for the Blues. so we can expect a tight encounter. All the key players are fit and ready for battle. It would, however, be a big surprise not to see Mourinho's side progress to the Last 8.

Key Fantasy Players:

Chelsea: Terry, Lampard, Hazard

Galatasaray: Eboue, Sneijder, Drogba

Our Prediction: Chelsea will be looking for an early goal and then protect their lead and try to get another one from counter-attacks. Result: 2:0.

Predicted Lineups - Return Matches

Our predicted lineups for this weeks matches:

FC Bayern: Neuer - Rafinha, J.Martinez, Dante, Alaba - Lahm - Robben, Thiago, Kroos, Ribery - Mandzukic

Arsenal: Fabianski - Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal - Arteta, Flamini - Cazorla, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain - Giroud

Atletico Madrid: Courtois - Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Luis - Gabi, Suarez - Koke, Diego/Raul Garcia, Turan - Diego Costa

AC Milan: Abbiati - Abate, Rami, Zapata, Emanuelson - De Jong, Essien - Poli, Kaka, Taarabt - Balotelli

Barcelona: Valdes - Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba - Busquets, Xavi, Fabregas - Sanchez, Messi, Neymar

Man City: Hart - Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov - Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, Silva, Navas - Negredo, Agüero

PSG: Sirigu - Jallet, T.Silva, Marquinhos, Digne - Pastore, Cabaye, Rabiot - Cavani, Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi

Bayer Leverkusen: Leno - Hilbert, Wollscheid, Toprak, Boenisch - Bender, Reinartz, Can - Castro, Derdiyok, Son

PSG - Bayer Leverkusen (PREVIEW)

This matchup is already over after PSG beat Bayer away 4:0. We will probably see some of the PSG key players rested, as it is almost impossible to see them lose their advantage. Digne will probably start in place of Maxwell, expect to see Cabaye in the starting 11 in place of Motta or Verratti, even Ibrahimovic could get some rest now Cavani is back from injury.

Key Fantasy Players:

PSG: Matuidi, Cabaye, Cavani

Leverkusen: Castro, Derdiyok, Son

Our Prediction: No problems for PSG, they will confirm their win in the first leg, 3:0 for the French Champions.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lucas, Verratti and T.Silva celebrating a goal vs. Leverkusen.

Barcelona - Manchester City (PREVIEW)

It is hard to see Barcelona losing their big advantage from the first match, but anything is possible. Both teams were bad at the weekend, Barca losing to Real Valladolid (0:1) and Man City to Wigan (1:2). Nevertheless, Man City will probably attack from the start, trying to get an early goal which could get them back in the game. Aguero is available after missing out in the first match, which could prove to be very valuable if he can produce on the same level as before the injury.

Key Fantasy Players:

Barcelona: J.Alba, Fabregas, Messi

Man City: Zabaleta, Silva, Aguero

Our Prediction: Man City will be pushing hard, they might even reduce Barca's lead, but the Spanish team's experience should be enough to see them through to the Quarter Finals. Result: 2:2.

Barcelona and Manchester City battling during a corner kick.

 

Atletico Madrid - AC Milan (PREVIEW)

Atletico carry a nice one goal lead from Milan, which will make it hard for the italians to turn the match around. However, if Milan score first, we will have a very exciting match to watch. Kaka, Balotelli and Taarabt were rested this weekend when Milan lost to Udinese (0:1). Atletico, on the other hand, won on Saturday (2:0) after a David Villa brace. Diego Costa was rested and so was Arda Turan. Atletico are favorites to finish the work and proceed to the Quarter Finals, but it will not be as easy as it seems. If Milan create a similar number of chances as in the first leg, they must convert some and make life difficult for Atletico.

Key Fantasy Players:

Atletico Madrid: F.Luis, Turan, Diego Costa

AC Milan: Kaka, Taarabt, Balotelli

Our Prediction: Atletico to go through after a hard fought draw 1:1.

Diego Costa and Mario Balotelli

FC Bayern München - Arsenal (PREVIEW)

Bayern carry a big lead from the first leg, when they beat Arsenal in London 2:0. Arsenal would therefore need to score three goals to knock the defending champions out of the competition. Even a 3:1 win for Arsenal would be enough to go through, however it is very unlikely Bayern will let their lead slip away. Expect a match, similar as the first leg, Arsenal will start positively and try to get an early goal, but as soon as Bayern start playing their game, it should be game over. Ribery will be back for this match which is also a big boost for the Bavarians. Bayern do not have any injury or suspension problems, Arsenal on the other hand will have to play without the suspended Sczeczny, while Walcott and Wilshere are injured. Aaron Ramsey is back in training though, but it is unlikely he will be back to full fitness in time for the return match.

Key Fantasy Players:

Bayern: Lahm, Robben, Gotze

Arsenal: Mertesacker, Cazorla, Giroud

Our Prediction: Bayern will do their business and win in a close match: 2-1.

Lahm, Robben & Kroos celebrate the first goal vs. Arsenal (photo: guardian.com)