The stage is set in Europe to unfurl the best of the best in the last eight of the UEFA Champions League.
Before, I predict the winners of the quarter finals, let me tell you in advance that this line-up doesn’t feature any high profile English clubs for the first time in many years.
So, here is the bold prediction for the next round of the most coveted prize in football.
Malaga vs Borussia Dortmund
The minnows from Spain have performed not only exceptionally well in Spain this season, but have also proved that they are not in the Champions League to make up the numbers.
The famous comeback win against FC Porto was nothing less than remarkable.
However, no matter how strong Malaga is, they are up against a paramount figure in Europe this season.
The side who defeated Real Madrid in Germany and then salvaged a point in Spain: Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund topped the Group of Death in Champions League, beating the Champions of England, Holland and Spain.
They then decimated Shaktar Donetsk with an impressive final aggregate.
Though Malaga have some great players like Isco but Dortmund have a class and hunger to prevail superior in this battle.
Verdict: Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid vs Galatasaray
Many may see this as a David versus Goliath battle and many might say that Mourinho has hit the jackpot.
However, I insist that Madrid will find this Turkish side really tough to beat.
With two legs to play, Madrid would definitely win the one in Bernabeu, but the problems in Turkey will be huge.
Dealing with the fans and hostile environment is one which Ronaldo and Ozil won’t be used to.
However, fortune does favour the brave and though Drogba and Sneijder make the Turkish champions stronger, it is still not strong enough to beat Madrid.
The first leg will be crucial for Madrid because winning in Turkey looks very tough.
But after knocking out United, Real Madrid are a team full of confidence.
They must get over the finish line with a decent aggregate as the home match would be crucial.
Verdict: Real Madrid
PSG vs Barcelona
The famous 4-0 comeback win over AC Milan has changed the view of Barcelona all over the world.
Suddenly, also in part to do with avoiding Real in the quarters, they have become favourites to win the competition.
PSG will host the best team on planet without Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However the battle between Lionel Messi and Thiago Silva will be epic.
Lucas Moura and David Beckham will have to be at their best but with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Alba and Messi, Ancelloti’s men will definitely lose the second leg at Camp Nou.
So do they have a chance to win the overall leg with a convincing win at Parc Des Princes?
No! Barcelona should win both the legs, but even if they miss out in France, they have to make sure that it turns out to be a draw.
Barcelona would look to land a knockout punch with an away goal and end the bout in Spain.
Verdict: Barcelona
Bayern Munich vs Juventus
The clash of the titans between Germany and Italy takes place on the 10th of April.
This encounter is definitely the best one of the round.
From pundits to fans, nobody has a clear favourite.
Juventus are unbeaten but Munich have a 92 percent win record this season.
However, Arsenal proved that they can be beaten and Juventus need to count on this factor.
The last time Munich lost at home in Champions League was at the hands of Inter Milan who defeated them 3-2.
The surprising part was that Munich had won the first leg in San Siro 1-0. Arsenal were also beaten 3-1 in the first leg recently.
So, is it the lacklustre performance of Munich taking things too lightly in the second leg the cause of their poor performance?
Munich fans can be happy that the second leg is away from home and there wouldn’t be any space for relief.
However, history does repeat itself and even with the likes of Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben, Munich will give their best only to be beaten by the Italians.
Inter did that even in the 2010 Champions League finals (and Italy beat Germany in the 2012 Euro semis). History is with Juventus.
A very close match will be witnessed which is likely to go in the favour of Vidal and company.
Verdict: Juventus
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
Bayern Munich v Dortmund looks the favorite in the market and our minds. Bayern v Real Madrid is still possible as Madrid need a 3-0 win on 30th April which is possible.
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
and now it looks that no spanish side will reach the finals.
Jamie
Guest
I predicted that in the quarter finals Malaga would have a chance to win on the away goal against Dortmund. As I watched the first half being 1-1 I was skeptical espically since the chances Dortmund had were gold, after the 81st mintute malaga scored to go 2-1, I thought for sure Malaga would win now, Then Dortmund score 2 scrappy goals in the penalty time to slip through, this was an upset for Malaga to go home in this fashion and Dortmund are in real trouble if they struggle to score just like the match against Malaga.
Jake
Guest
Final- Another el classico....both those teams play a different league when they play crucial matches
prajit sarkar
Guest
it seems in all scenarios barca will win according to u. i can gurantee dat among barca, juve/bayern, dortmund and madrid barca are the LEAST favourites to win. i can bet they wont b able to go past the semis if they manage to beat psg and the other teams are madrid, dortmund and bayern/juve. madrid have already beaten them twice recently, juve, bayern and dortmund will simply THRASH their stupid defence. milan are a very weak team and they struggled against them. if zlatan had been available for both legs for psg barca wud not have stood a chance. but since he isnt i thnk barca will make it to the semis but not to the final surely.
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
Barcelona, Dortmund, Madrid and Juventus will ideally play in semis. Condition 1- Real VS Barca and Dortmund Vs Juventus Though Real have won the battle of late in both the territory, Barcelona will repeat the heroics of 2011 Champions League semis. Juve v Barca finals in that scenario with Barcelona winning 2-1. Condition 2- Real vs Dortmund and Barca v Juventus A final between Dortmund and Barcelona with Barcelona winning 3-1 Condition 3- Real vs juventus and Barca v Dortmund Juve vs Barca finals with Barca winning 2-1. Barcelona 45% chance of winning the title. Juventus 25% Borussia Dortmund 15% Real Madrid 15%
Ram
Guest
Agreed. Predictions for the semis and the final?
Ram
Guest
Borussia, Real, Barca and Juve. Borussia and Barca should go through winning both games. Real may draw one and win the other, similarly Juve. Hoping for a Barca-Borussia and Juve- Real semis, with the final being Barca vs Juve, Barca winning. Let's see how it all pans out.
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
Galatasaray need to get a draw or at worst lose with an away goal in Bernabeu. Madrid always score no matter what and if the Turkish Champions need to knock the Spanish Giants, we would be the luckiest ones to witness the greatest miracle this year. However, it wont happen. Malaga beating Dortmund is not going to happen, the world class Germans fear no one and they have beaten Real Madrid on their curtilage and even drew at Bernabeu. Barcelona will thrash the French outfit with an awe-inspiring final aggregate and finally, Juventus will prove that Munich can be knocked out well in advance.
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
PSG are just not the team to handle enormous pressure against Barcelona. Their best chance in Parc des princess should be to take a good lead going into Camp Nou. However, its going to be mission decimation. Lionel Messi will once again prove that he is the one who would be called as the greatest of all time shortly. Real Madrid in semis would be really tough and Barca would fancy playing them only in the finals.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Emotional prediction: Galatasaray, Juve, Malaga and PSG. In a way, I wouldnt mind to see Bayern through to the semis and play PSG. I remember a fantastic match in Munich between the two in the 90s. George Weah was at his best, Ginola was still there and the brasilians Rai, Valdo and Ricardo too. The best PSG time in history IMO, even better than this one. And it was still the 'real' Paris St Germain.
Alan
Roar Guru
Be careful with PSG, Barcelona were very fortunate against Milan and had Niang scored..... it may well be Milan playing PSG. El Shaarway also had a shocker infront of goal. The likes of Lavezzi won't miss if given the chance and Barcelona's defence can be opened up.