Champions League quarter-final preview: United, Messi, Ronaldo form, key battles, predictions, odds
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Updated 08/04/2019 at 17:21 GMT
A closer look at the four Champions League quarter-finals; Liverpool vs Porto, Tottenham vs Manchester City, Ajax vs Juventus, Man Utd vs Barcelona...
Ajax and Manchester United
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The Champions League quarter-final first-leg matches will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, with the second legs set for April 16 and April 17. The semi-final draw has already taken place, meaning the winners of Liverpool vs Porto face Manchester United or Barcelona in the last four, while Manchester City or Tottenham will take on Ajax or Juventus.
The draw means Barcelona and Lionel Messi cannot meet Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus until the final - but will both clubs go all the way?
Who will win the Champions League?
Here’s a preview of the upcoming quarter-final matches…
- First leg: Anfield, Tuesday April 9 (all kick-offs 8pm BST)
- Second leg: Estadio do Dragao, Wednesday April 17
Form: Liverpool – WWWWWD, Porto – WWWWWL
Tale of the tape: Both sides come into Tuesday’s first leg in fine form having won their last five games. Porto are behind Primeira Liga leaders Benfica only on goal difference with six games to go, while Liverpool are top and two points ahead of Manchester City – who have a game in hand – as they look to end their 29-year wait for league glory.
The two teams met at the last-16 stage last year, with Liverpool demolishing Porto 5-0 away before playing out a goalless draw at home. On this occasion, Jurgen Klopp’s side will look to make home advantage count first before heading to the Estadio do Dragao.
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Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates
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Key battle: Mohamed Salah vs Alex Telles – The Porto left-back faces a late fitness test to feature on Tuesday, but should he play then it will be his task to stick to Salah like glue. In truth, this key battle could simply have been Liverpool’s attack vs Porto’s defence – how Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino fare will decide the two-legged affair.
Prediction: Liverpool to go through. The firepower they possess should steer them towards a healthy first-leg advantage before heading to Portugal next week.
Odds: To qualify – Liverpool 1/5, Porto 10/3
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General view inside the stadium as fireworks are seen during the Opening Ceremony of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium prior to the the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 03, 2019 in London
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Form: Spurs – WLLWDL, Man City – WWWWWW
Tale of the tape: Can Spurs capitalise on the atmosphere at their new stadium in the first leg on Tuesday? City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne said he frankly “didn’t care” about playing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but the home players will undoubtedly be buoyed by the fact their first European game at the ground carries such gravitas.
With a quadruple on the mind, Pep Guardiola’s side will be expected to end Spurs’ hopes of a trophy for another season at least, but all-English affairs tend to serve up a treat in the Champions League, and City will know they are facing a team with a point to prove.
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Tottenham's Harry Kane in action with Manchester City's Ederson as he misses a chance to score
Image credit: Reuters
Key battle: Harry Kane vs Aymeric Laporte – If Spurs are to have any hope of heading to Manchester with an advantage then Kane will need to outwit City’s defence. The Spurs striker has five Champions League goals this season, and it will be down to Laporte to keep it that way on Tuesday.
Prediction: Man City to qualify. It is difficult to imagine City failing to get at least one away goal, and then they will be expected to see it out at home in a week’s time. Spurs will want at least a two-goal advantage heading to the Etihad.
Odds: To qualify – Manchester City 2/9, Tottenham 7/2
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Ajax celebrate thier stunning 4-1 win at Real Madrid
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Form: Ajax – WWWLWW, Juventus – WWWLWW
Tale of the tape: Ajax have nothing to fear after conquering Real Madrid in the previous round, and having knocked out the holders, they will now be tasked with ending Juve’s hopes of European success for the first time since 1996.
Juve have been runners-up five times during those 23 years, but after his heroics against Atletico Madrid in the last 16, Cristiano Ronaldo will be out to deliver the trophy he has won the past three seasons.
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Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to dump Atletico out in the previous round
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Key battle: Matthijs de Ligt vs Cristiano Ronaldo – What a match-up this could be, if Ronaldo is fit… The forward is hoping to overcome a thigh injury in time to feature, and should he play, it will provide the ultimate test for 19-year-old centre back De Ligt, the Golden Boy who has been linked with both Barcelona and Juve.
Prediction: Juve to qualify. Coasting in Serie A, Juve will face an altogether different battle when coming up against Ajax, but should have the quality to overcome the Dutch club. Though going by Ajax’s showing against Real, nothing is certain.
Odds: To qualify – Ajax 4/1, Juventus 1/4
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Can United stop Messi?
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Form: Man Utd – LWLLWW, Barcelona - WDWWWW
Tale of the tape: United’s reward for knocking out PSG pits them against Lionel Messi and co, and like Ajax, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will feel they have nothing to lose after venturing further than expected.
Barca have the league all-but wrapped up after beating Atletico, and will be in confident mood when heading to Manchester. However, United can take inspiration from Barca’s 4-4 draw at Villarreal last week and hope .
Key battle: Chris Smalling vs Lionel Messi – The match-up we have been waiting for ever since the draw took place. Can United’s defence hold it together against Messi and Luis Suarez? It’s a monumental task for Smalling and Victor Lindelof.
Prediction: Barca to qualify. A score draw or narrow Barca win at Old Trafford to be followed by a routine win at home. But with this United, anything is possible, particularly when Solskjaer takes his side to the Nou Camp, the scene of his treble-winning goal 20 years ago.
Odds: To qualify – Man Utd 3/1, Barcelona 2/7
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