Champions League

RB Leipzig and PSG both like to play in a positive manner and that will hopefully lead to an entertaining first Champions League semi-final. The German outfit clearly possess a tremendous team spirit, but the French aristocrats have an edge in class which is hard to get away from.

Manchester City look to have been gifted a golden opportunity to reach the Champions League semi-finals when taking on Lyon in Lisbon. However, it is worth remembering that Les Gones did well against the Blues during last season’s group stage, winning 2-1 away and drawing 2-2 at home.

RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid have contrasting styles that could lead to a close encounter when they meet in the Champions League quarter-finals. The German outfit generally take a positive approach, whereas Los Colchoneros rely on a dogged determination to grind out results.

PSG are fancied to have just too much nous for Atalanta in their single-leg Champions League quarter-final tie in Lisbon. The French aristocrats may be hampered by a lack of match sharpness but have the class to cope against opponents who look in too deep at this level.

Barcelona have stuttered a bit this season but past history suggests they should account for Napoli in the Champions League at Camp Nou. The Catalan giants have drawn away in the first leg of a European tie on 26 occasions, but eventually went on to progress in 21 of those encounters.

Chelsea face a mission impossible when visiting Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but we’re backing the Blues to at least salvage some pride. Frank Lampard’s men were crushed 3-0 in the first leg in London back in February but have continued to develop since returning from lockdown.

Juventus have work to do in Turin when trying to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit in their Champions League tie with Lyon. However, the Bianconeri showed enough in France to suggest they can get the job done against opponents who have looked fragile on the road at times.

PSG are under pressure to perform after losing 2-1 to Borussia Dortmund in Germany but do have the talent to turn this Champions League tie around. The French aristocrats looked dangerous for long periods of the second half at Westfalenstadion and are usually much stronger on home turf.

RB Leipzig look to be holding all the aces against an injury-hit Tottenham ahead of the second leg of their Champions League tie in Germany. Only Timo Werner’s 58th-minute penalty separated these sides in London, but the Bundesliga outfit looked much the better team for large parts of that contest.

Atlanta will take a 4-1 advantage to Valencia for the second leg of their Champions League tie and have vowed to adopt a positive approach at the Mestalla. The first encounter between these sides in Italy was incredibly open, with both teams having lots more chances to keep the scoreboard ticking over.