MX23RW : Monday, November 25 18:41:18| >> :120:6024:6024:

Champions League quarter-finals: Five things to look out for

Manchester City will look to continue their quadruple bid when they face Tottenham while Manchester United face the daunting challenge of Barcelona.

The first legs of the Champions League quarter-finals take place this week. Here, Press Association Sport looks at some talking points ahead of the games.

United's Barca challenge

Manchester United come up against Lionel Messi
Manchester United come up against Lionel Messi (Nick Potts/PA)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United pulled off a shock to beat Paris St Germain in the last round and it was probably that result that clinched the manager's job full time for the Norwegian. Performances since have tailed off slightly and the challenge ahead of them as they face Barcelona and, of course, Lionel Messi, is huge. Barca are closing in on an eighth LaLiga title in 11 years and will be keen to make the most of Real Madrid's elimination from the Champions League.

City's quadruple push

Manchester City boss Guardiola has played down quadruple talk
Manchester City boss Guardiola has played down quadruple talk (John Walton/PA)

Manchester City are the favourites for the Champions League and with good reason given their sustained excellence in four competitions this season. Manager Pep Guardiola described the quadruple as "almost impossible" at the weekend but it is actually far from inconceivable. The Champions League has been the one hurdle they have consistently failed to clear, however. Guardiola has often referred to a lack of experience on the European stage for that, although that may not be relevant in this round as they face a Premier League rival in Tottenham.

All-English clash

Manchester City will be the second visitors to Tottenham's new stadium
Manchester City will be the second visitors to Tottenham's new stadium (Nick Potts/PA)

City's tie with Spurs is an enticing one, starting with the first leg at the London club's new stadium on Tuesday. City's superiority is evident in the 16-point gap between the two sides – from second to third – in the Premier League but a big domestic advantage counted for nothing when they faced Liverpool at the same stage last year. Then City lost 3-0 in the first leg at a fevered Anfield. Spurs will hope the atmosphere at their new stadium will work in their favour, although Kevin De Bruyne has dismissed it. "I don't care about the stadium," he said.

Liverpool eyeing last four again

Liverpool go into their clash with Porto in good form
Liverpool go into their clash with Porto in good form (Martin Rickett/PA)

Last year's beaten finalists Liverpool may fancy their chances of reaching the last four again after being drawn against Porto, a side they beat 5-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie last season. The Reds' priority may be the Premier League but defeat here would represent a big missed opportunity. Porto are also without veteran defender Pepe for Tuesday's first leg at Anfield through suspension.

Ronaldo fitness

Cristiano Ronaldo has had a fitness scare in recent weeks
Cristiano Ronaldo has had a fitness scare in recent weeks (Martin Rickett/PA)

Five-time world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo has been out for the past two weeks with a thigh injury but is expected to return for Juventus' clash with Ajax. Manager Massimiliano Allegri took no risks against AC Milan at the weekend, holding the Portuguese back in a bid to ensure his fitness for Wednesday in Amsterdam. Ronaldo, who has won this competition five times, relishes such occasions.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Andy Hampson, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '75dda3e4-b0c8-475f-bc1c-af4a8678397c');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': '5 talking points ahead of the Champions League quarter-final first legs'});

ID:355662: cacheID:355662:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10716:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt pictured in March 2019
Read Next:
Balague: 'Man City are not in for De Ligt'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!