B/R Experts: Big-Game Predictions, April 11-13
The UEFA Champions League and Europa League take centre stage, with the first legs of the quarter-final ties taking place.
Our team of experts have been doing their homework in a bid to point you in the direction of the winning formula.
Will Leicester's fine run in Europe come to a halt against Atletico Madrid, will Juventus avenge their 2015 final defeat at the hands of Barcelona and can Real Madrid keep the defence of their crown on track against Bayern Munich?
Read on for our thoughts on these ties and some intriguing games in the Europa League.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Monaco
1 of 8
In what many fans expect to be the most entertaining tie of the quarter-finals, Borussia Dortmund host Monaco in the first leg on Tuesday. Both sides are filled to the brim with exciting attacking talents, many of whom are on the cusp of global superstardom.
Dortmund didn't have the best of dress rehearsals, losing 4-1 at Bayern Munich on Saturday, albeit with a depleted squad. Head coach Thomas Tuchel should be able to recall key midfielders Julian Weigl and Shinji Kagawa.
Leonardo Jardim will be without suspended midfield destroyer Tiemoue Bakayoko, scorer of the decisive goal in the frantic round-of-16 thriller against Manchester City, but he welcomes back Radamel Falcao to the ranks. El Tigre scored the winner against SCO Angers on Saturday, keeping them at the top of Ligue 1.
Monaco have showed some defensive frailties in big games in 2017, conceding a total of six goals to Man City and four to Paris Saint-Germain in the Coup de la Ligue final on April 1. The Black and Yellows, having scored a record-setting 21 goals in the group stage and four more against Benfica in the previous round, should have a good chance going into the second leg next week if they bring their shooting boots.
Prediction: 3-1
First goalscorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Juventus vs. Barcelona
2 of 8
A rematch of this competition’s 2015 final, this clash at Juventus Stadium sees two of the continent’s most decorated side’s go head-to-head, but they arrive in different circumstances.
Juventus have been in incredible form since losing to Fiorentina in January, their only defeat since coming in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final with Napoli, a tie they won on aggregate.
Barcelona, meanwhile, will arrive in Turin having tasted defeat in two of their last five outings, and have key midfielder Sergio Busquets suspended against the Bianconeri. The game is one between an irresistible force and an immovable object, a fact reflected in their previous Champions League outings this term.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in seven of Barca's last eight games in the competition, but under that total in five of Juve’s last six, the home side keeping six clean sheets in their previous eight European outings.
Prediction: 2-1
First goalcorer: Miralem Pjanic
Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid
3 of 8
Unquestionably the tie of the round will see two of the three most commonly named favourites square off when Bayern Munich host Real Madrid on Wednesday.
The two European giants have met a whopping 16 times since 2000 and, aside from a 4-0 away win for Los Blancos on their way to La Decima in 2014, those 16 games have usually been tight and come up with unexpected twists and turns.
With the tie being too close to call on paper, form on the day should make all the difference. Personnel, of course, will also be huge, with both Carlo Ancelotti and his former assistant, Zinedine Zidane, having to do without starting centre-backs.
Bayern's Mats Hummels has picked up an ankle distortion and will miss at least the first tie, while Real's Pepe fell victim to friendly fire on Saturday, breaking two of his ribs in a collision with Toni Kroos during the Madrid derby.
With Raphael Varane also still injured, Zidane will have to trust in comparatively inexperienced Nacho at the heart of defence, while Ancelotti will turn to Jerome Boateng, who has only played little over 200 minutes of competitive football in 2017 after struggling with nagging injuries himself.
The game on Wednesday and, really, the tie itself should come down to a few decisive moments, perhaps a set piece or that one individual mistake the opponent will pounce on ruthlessly.
Prediction: 2-1
First goalscorer: Arjen Robben
Atletico Madrid vs. Leicester City
4 of 8
Both these sides had been on impressive runs recently, but while Atletico Madrid had a hard-fought derby draw at the weekend, Leicester rested several players and lost at Everton 4-2—so it's no secret where the Foxes' ambitions lie here.
The English club have done exceptionally well to reach this stage, but Atletico are a level above anything they've faced so far, a constant presence in the latter stages of Europe and with genuinely top-tier talent in the side.
It would be an enormous shock if Atleti didn't go through over two legs, and much of that will start with a solid platform from the home match. The experience, determination and firepower all points to a win for Los Rojiblancos.
Prediction: 2-0
First goalscorer: Antoine Griezmann
Ajax vs. Schalke
5 of 8
Ajax and Schalke are enjoying quite different seasons. Whereas Ajax, hosts on Thursday, are just one point off Eredivisie leaders Feyenoord, Schalke are in proverbial no man's land in the Bundesliga, sitting 10th in the table despite a 4-1 win over struggling Wolfsburg at the weekend.
Winning the Europa League is their only chance at qualifying for the Champions League and could well be their only shot at European football next season, period. Having narrowly escaped the German duel with Borussia Monchengladbach in the round of 16, Schalke may feel this is their year.
Ajax are strong opponents, of course, the Dutch side filled with exciting talents as always. However, their lack of European experience shows up from time to time, with Ajax missing out on the Champions League this season after a humiliating 4-1 defeat to FK Rostov in the play-offs.
That said, the hosts have to be considered favourites in the first leg thanks to their remarkable form in front of their own fans, as Ajax have won all but one home match since September, including five Europa League wins in as many attempts.
Prediction: 2-1
First goalscorer: Hakim Ziyech
Celta Vigo vs. Genk
6 of 8
A tough match to call, particularly given Celta's poor recent form: six wins in 16 and back-to-back defeats, but half of those victories came in Europe, and their focus does appear to be on the Europa League this term.
Even so, the likely long-term absence of Giuseppe Rossi robs the Spanish side of an attacking option, meaning more responsibility on Iago Aspas to hit the goal trail.
Genk missed out on the cut for the championship play-offs in Belgium's top flight this season, but they have been in winning form coming into the game and might fancy their chances of a positive result.
Prediction: 1-1
First goalscorer: Iago Aspas
Anderlecht vs. Manchester United
7 of 8
Winning the Europa League is Manchester United's priority this season, and this is a first-leg game Jose Mourinho will refuse to lose.
We have seen many times how Mourinho can put together a game plan designed to limit the opposition first, then worry about his own team scoring goals later. This is likely to be one of those evenings.
Belgian side Anderlecht have shown good home form in Europe, beating Mainz 05, Zenit and APOEL. They are top of their domestic division, too, four points clear of Club Brugge.
United have shown they keep it tight away from home in this competition. They recently beat Saint Etienne 1-0 and then drew 1-1 at Rostov.
Mourinho has a depleted squad available due to injuries, but he still has enough quality to get in and out of Brussels with this tie swinging in his favour.
Prediction: 1-1
First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Lyon vs. Besiktas
8 of 8
Alexandre Lacazette scored an absolute screamer in the last round as Lyon saw off Roma. He may need to produce more magic if they are to progress any further.
Lyon are in a bad run of form, having won only one of their last five matches. A 4-1 loss to Lorient at the weekend marked their heaviest home defeat in 11 years.
The good news for Lyon is that goals have flowed nicely in Europe up to now. They have scored 16 over their past four European outings. Lacazette, who has 30 goals from 38 appearances this season, is likely to be their main man again.
Besiktas certainly have the attacking talent to capitalise on Lyon's back line if there are signs of nerves. Anderson Talisca and Oguzhan Ozyakup are being linked with high-profile transfers to the Premier League, per Fanatik (h/t Express) and Turkish-Football (h/t ESPN FC), respectively. They are capable of pulling the strings to create chances.
Besiktas are the only domestic champions left in the Europa League, but they have never won in France.
Prediction: 2-1
First goalscorer: Alexandre Lacazette
