Can Borussia Dortmund Stop Monaco?

We have reached the business end of the Champions League, and there’s a tasty-looking quarterfinals in store.

Barcelona, fresh from their incredible, miracle comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, face Juventus in their first leg, while attack is likely to be the order of the day in Monaco vs. Borussia Dortmund.

And then there’s Leicester — yes, Leicester! — in the last eight and facing a trip to last year’s finalists Atletico Madrid. The Foxes saw off Sevilla in the round of 16 — can they upset the odds again here?

Completing the ties, European royalty face off as 11-time winners Real Madrid are up against five-time winners Bayern Munich.

Juventus vs. Barcelona
JUVENTUS: They had hoped for an easier draw or at least for the second leg to be at home, but if Juventus want to overcome Barcelona and prove they are back to being world-beaters, they must play the game of their lives at home in the first leg. Gonzalo Higuain seems to be back to his lethal best, scoring with ease once again, while the balance within Juve’s game has ensured consistent victories. The only problem is that the side are still psychologically weak in Europe and tend to overly respect great opponents. With a little arrogance and organised tactics, Juve are likely to win the first leg.
Prediction: Juventus 2-1 Barcelona — Mina Rzouki

BARCELONA: Barcelona have looked back to somewhere near their best since switching to a back three. However, as Malaga proved, it does come with risks in defence, and Juventus should have the quality to take advantage of that. It will be important for Barca to score an away goal — or goals — and they have to ensure they’re still in the tie going back to Camp Nou. They cannot afford another night like they had in Paris because Juve will not capitulate like Paris Saint-Germain did if they’re given a decent head start going into the second leg.
Prediction: Juventus 2-1 Barcelona — Sam Marsden

Borussia Dortmund vs. Monaco
BORUSSIA DORTMUND: Dortmund were very content with the draw. Although they aren’t great favourites, they are at least not the underdog, as they would have been against most other teams left in the mix. Dortmund have to rely on their strong form at the Westfalenstadion, where they are unbeaten for two years in the Bundesliga and Champions League. However, it is hard to predict what Dortmund’s injury list will look like going into the match. They could be running on fumes going into this first leg. With both teams strong up front and suspect at the back, this could be a goal-laden game.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Monaco — Stefan Buczko

MONACO: When Monaco looked at their list of potential quarterfinal opponents, Dortmund were no doubt in the “we can beat them” category, particularly with the Ligue 1 side’s confidence bolstered by their disposal of Manchester City. Though far from impressive in recent domestic outings, the French league leaders have been sizzling in European competition, and the painful experience of a narrow quarterfinal exit to Juventus two years ago will serve them well this time. With their attack at least equal to Dortmund’s and their defence superior, Leonardo Jardim’s men should get a result that leaves them in a good stead for the second leg.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Monaco — Ian Holyman

Atletico Madrid vs. Leicester
ATLETICO MADRID: For once Lady Luck has been kind to Los Rojiblancos in the Champions League draw — and this should be a tie they negotiate with relative ease compared to previous years. It will be a battle of the counterattacks with neither side particularly keen to dominate possession, however Diego Simeone’s side possess superior weapons to the English champions in that sense. Their experience at this level, desire to lift the one trophy that has alluded them under the Argentine coach and streetwise cunning means there is only one winner.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Leicester — Joe Walker

LEICESTER: This is Leicester’s biggest game in their history. The Foxes will be desperate to get an away goal and keep the scoreline tight, and if they do so, a giant killing at the King Power in the second leg is more than possible. Captain Wes Morgan could be sidelined through injury and Riyad Mahrez has looked tired of late, so there are selection concerns at both ends of the field. The key to staying in the tie will probably lie in the hands of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. If Leicester can prevent Antoine Griezmann from running riot, then steal a goal on the counterattack, there is no reason why the Champions League fairy tale can’t continue.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Leicester — Ben Jacobs

Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid
BAYERN MUNICH: Bayern, whisper it quietly, will be confident even against the holders. Clinical top scorer Robert Lewandowski has a superb scoring record against Real from his time at Borussia Dortmund, and aided by the cunning and guile of ex-Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara, the in-form duo are perfectly capable of firing the five-time winners into the last four. Add the world’s best keeper, Manuel Neuer “100 percent certain” to return from a toe injury, Bayern look good for a 17th successive home Champions League win (a competition record) to put them into pole position for a semifinal spot.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1 Real Madrid — Mark Lovell

REAL MADRID: There will be mixed feelings for Real Madrid’s players and coach Zinedine Zidane as they take on Bayern on Wednesday for a reunion with former coach Carlo Ancelotti — a man who knows the strengths and weaknesses of their “BBC” strike force more than anyone. Although man-for-man Madrid just about have a quality advantage over Ancelotti’s side, Zidane’s team are likely to try to play cautiously and hope to decide the tie back at the Bernabeu in the second leg. They would be more than happy to get out of Munich with a draw and an away goal — and they can do just that.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-1 Bayern Munich — Dermot Corrigan