Champions League and Europa League set for exciting last eight showdowns

Europe’s top clubs are gearing up for the quarter-finals of the continent’s two major knockout tournaments.

The Champions League and Europa League are both down to the last eight teams and there are some mouth-watering ties scheduled to take place during April.

Read on as we assess who will make it through to the semi-finals in both competitions.

Big guns fancied to progress to the last four in the Champions League

Manchester United versus Barcelona is undoubtedly the standout tie in the Champions League, but it’s difficult to imagine the La Liga side not progressing to the last four.

United did well to beat Paris Saint-Germain in the previous round, although the result only served to highlight the French side’s lack of bottle when they are put under pressure.

Barca are unbeaten in this season’s competition and were hugely impressive in their demolition of Lyon in the round of 16.

With the second leg scheduled to be played in Spain and Lionel Messi pulling the strings, Barcelona are strongly fancied to end United’s interest in the competition.

The all-Premier League tie between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City is sure to be fiercely competitive, but Pep Guardiola’s side look a good bet to reach the semi-finals.

City have lost just four of their last 17 meetings with Spurs and their form in recent weeks has been significantly better than their opponents.

Reaching the last eight is an achievement for Spurs given their slow start in the Champions League, but City should prove too strong in this one.

Juventus look in good shape ahead of their quarter-final tie against Ajax, having overcome a stern test by Atletico Madrid in the last round.

Juve trailed 2-0 after the first leg, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning hat-trick in the reverse fixture ensured they made it through.

The Dutch side are bidding to pull off another surprise after knocking out Real Madrid in the last 16, but Juve should progress to the last four.

Liverpool look banker material to see off Porto in their tie having never lost against the Portuguese side in six previous meetings.

The Reds are fully expected to join City, Barca and Juve in the semi-finals and punters eyeing the quartet to produce a winning return from their wagers can have yankee betting explained here to get a leg up on managing multi-bets around the European fixtures.

English clubs eyeing semi-finals in the Europa League

Arsenal and Chelsea remain on course to meet in the final of the Europa League after being placed in separate halves of the draw.

The Gunners face a difficult test in the quarter-finals against Napoli, but if they make it through they would be strongly fancied to defeat either Villarreal of Valencia in the last four.

Arsenal are unbeaten at home in this season’s competition, but defeats in their last two away matches are a worrying sign.

However, Napoli lost their away leg against Red Bull Salzburg in the last round and if the Gunners can build up a healthy lead at the Emirates Stadium they should go through.

Villarreal are unbeaten in the Europa League this term, but may find things tough against a Valencia side who narrowly missed out on progressing from the group stages of the Champions League.

Valencia took four points off Villarreal in their two La Liga meetings this season and should progress to the last four.

In the other half of the draw Chelsea are expected to safely navigate their quarter-final tie against Slavia Prague to set up a last four meeting with either Benfica or Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Blues have won nine and drawn one of their 10 Europa League matches this term and should outclass the Czech Republic outfit.

They will also fancy their chances in the semi-finals if they make it that far, although it would be unwise to write off either of their potential opponents.

Frankfurt have been the surprise package in this season’s tournament and may possess too much firepower for Benfica.

Champions League and Europa League set for exciting last eight showdowns

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