Tony Kelshaw 
USG have punched above their weight throughout this season’s Europa League, including when drawing 1-1 at Bayer Leverkusen. However, having to switch the second leg to Anderlecht’s Lotto Park may just count against them when facing Xabi Alonso’s in-form side again.
AZ Alkmaar have given themselves a mountain to climb after losing 2-0 at Anderlecht in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals. However, the Dutch outfit hit form with a 3-0 Eredivisie win at Fortuna Sittard on Sunday, whereas their opponents were thrashed 5-2 at Genk.
Nice’s Europa Conference League quarter-final tie with Basel is in the balance following an entertaining 2-2 draw at St Jakob Park. The French outfit are now favourites to progress with home advantage but FCB will come to play in the return fixture at Allianz Riviera.
Fiorentina made a statement of intent when beating Lech Poznan 4-1 in Poland in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals. Vincenzo Italiano’s side are the leading scorers in this competition, averaging almost three goals a game, and are also doing well in Serie A.
Arsenal’s faltering title challenge is in big need of a boost when they entertain bottom club Southampton at Emirates Stadium on Friday. The Gunners have dropped points in their last couple of games at Liverpool and West Ham, blowing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 each time.
Manchester City are in pole position to reach the Champions League semi-finals after last week’s emphatic 3-0 win over Bayern Munich. The German giants played well enough in the first half at Etihad Stadium, but then crumbled after the break and are now 12/1 outsiders to progress.
Inter Milan look to be in total control of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Benfica following last week’s 2-0 win in Lisbon. The Nerazzurri just seemed to have too much nous for their highly-rated, but inexperienced opponents during that first-leg encounter.
To identify football’s most exciting stadiums, we have analysed every match played in the big five European leagues so far this season. Six great infographics illustrate the best places to watch a game as a home fan, an away supporter or a neutral.
Liverpool are fancied to pile more pressure on relegation-threatened Leeds when they visit Elland Road on Monday night. The Reds have gone five games without a win but should be buoyed by their second-half performance in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal last time out.
Chelsea have a mountain to climb when facing Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at Stamford Bridge. The Blues must overcome a 2-0 deficit against the holders but have gone six games without a win in this competition and the Premier League.
Napoli have work to do after losing 1-0 to AC Milan at the San Siro in this all-Italian Champions League quarter-final clash. However, Gli Azzurri were the better team for large parts of that opening leg and will have star striker Victor Osimhen available this time.
Title-chasing Arsenal are backed to return to winning ways in Sunday’s London derby at West Ham. The Gunners have a fine head-to-head record against the Hammers, winning six of their last seven Premier League encounters and drawing the other.
Manchester United have had Nottingham Forest’s measure three times already this season in the Premier League and the EFL Cup semi-finals. The Red Devils are 8-0 up on aggregate over those meetings and are tipped to confirm their superiority once again at the City Ground.
Manchester City will continue their relentless pursuit of Premier League leaders Arsenal when entertaining Leicester at Etihad Stadium. The relegation-threatened Foxes may get a lift from new boss Dean Smith but this still represents a daunting task on all known evidence.