The UEFA Champions League is the assembly of winners, where champions trade tackles and use tactics to outmatch each other over two legs of football contest.
This season edition have live up to expectations, with mouthwatering ties and goal galore experienced in almost all games so far.
And the underdog teams are working hard tactically to close the wide gap between them and the big boys, however the difference is just high profile signings cum big stars.
The quarter-fnals stage kick start with enthusiastic fans ready to cheer their darling team from home due to Covid-19 protocols which has not allowed fans to return into the stadia across Europe.
Real Madrid vs Liverpool
1st-leg (6th April) & 2nd-leg (14th April)
This is the rematch of 2017/18 final where the Galacticos beat the Reds 3-1 at the Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev.
Both teams have not been convincing in recent games in their local league. It is an opportunity for Liverpool to revenge the loss three seasons ago, but Real Madrid still have the pedigree to qualify.
Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund
1st-leg (6th April) & 2nd-leg (14th April)
This game will be interesting and it is expected to produce more goals because both teams for scoring many goals in games.
On paper, the Cityzens are the favourite but less fancied teams have knocked them out on big occasions in previous seasons which should give Dortmund the needed confidence going into this tie.
Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain
1st-leg (7th April) & 2nd-leg (13th April)
The Bavarians are the defending champion, but they have a difficult opposition in last season losing finalist PSG.
This tie is a 50-50 game, with both sides boasting of superstars that can be the decider of the ties. Football itself is a game of how well you utilise your chances, so the team who best convert its chances will prevail.
Porto vs Chelsea
1st-leg (7th April) & 2nd-leg (13th April)
The Blues have lost just once in their last 15 games in all competitions under Thomas Tuchel. And the last time the Blues qualified for quarter-final was 2014.
The Portuguese champion are the surprised package among the quarter-finalist after beating Juventus on away goal rules in the last round, so they are giant killers and the Blues must be prepared to do the needful.
These are my semi-finalist predictions - Real Madrid, Chelsea, Man City & PSG to qualify for semifinals.
Due to the unpredictability that football is known for, this predictions might change.
Fabiyi Ridwan
Sports Writer and Analyst
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