This week’s Champions League fixtures will feature anticipated clashes. Arsenal and Barcelona will have to climb mountains to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time in years.
The English Premier League side, Arsenal and La Liga giants Atletico Madrid have one goal deficit to overcome on home soil against Porto and Inter, respectively. At the same time, first-leg draws in Naples and Eindhoven, which means it’s anyone’s tie to win when Napoli travels to Barcelona and PSV visits Borussia Dortmund.
Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich have all booked their places in the quarter-finals after convincingly edging their opponents last week in the return legs.
There have been no shocks or dramas so far since the big names made it to the next round, but this week’s results are quite complicated to predict.
Let’s look at the Champions League fixtures this week.
Europa League results and highlights – AC Milan and Liverpool set feet in quarter-finals.
- Champions League: Real Madrid reached the quarter-final
- Kylian Mbappe double seals quarter-final spot in Champions League
Champions League fixtures- Tuesday, 12 March
Mikel Arteta’s men could have performed better against a resilient Porto in Portugal’s first leg. A stunning Galeno winner at the very last minute put up a massive barrier for the Gunners to conquer at Emirates.
The home fans expect a miracle to see their beloved club progress into the last eight of the competition for the first time since 2010.
Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski’s sublime footwork and finish were insufficient when Victor Osimhen’s leveler squared off the first leg.
Barca are unbeaten since Xavi’s announcement regarding his future, but rarely have they set the world alight. They’re also vulnerable at home, having temporarily moved away from Camp Nou.
Predictions
- Arsenal 1-0 Porto
- Barcelona 2-1 Napoli
Wednesday 13 March
Champions League fixtures: Last season’s finalist, Inter, will learn their fate after the clash against Atletico.
Inter should have been out of sight from the first leg, just like Barcelona. The runaway Serie A leaders aim to enjoy another deep Champions League run. Three weeks ago, their performance at San Siro highlighted just how good they are.
However, their lead heading into the second leg against Atletico Madrid is just one. Diego Simeone is more than capable of overseeing some black magic on the big European nights. Atletico have lost just one game at home across all competitions this season. At the same time, Inter have won a whopping 15 matches on the bounce.
Peter Bosz’s PSV have sparkled domestically this term and have a shot at progressing into the quarters despite being held to a draw on home soil by Borussia Dortmund three weeks ago.
The Dutch outfit is still unbeaten in the Eredivisie and blessed with the speed to burn down the flanks. Meanwhile, Dortmund have won back-to-back games, but their record in front of the Yellow Wall has yet to be imperious.
Predictions
- Atletico Madrid 0-1 Inter
- Borussia Dortmund 2-1 PSV