Champions League: Quarter-final draw

32 teams began and only eight remain. Last week we saw the final legs of the first round of knock-out stages throw up some big surprises and some excellent results.

March 16 was the draw for the quarter-final stages where eight teams learned their fates.

At this stage, the anticipation builds up as you see some of the top clubs from the top European nations competing for one of the biggest honor of Club Football in Europe.

The Quarter-final Draw

The first leg of the Champions League quarter-final will be held on 4 and 5 April 2018.

The second leg will be held a week later on the 11th and 12th April 2018.

First Leg Match-Ups

Juventus vs Real Madrid (4th April 2018)

Sevilla vs Bayern Munich (4th April 2018)

Liverpool vs Manchester City (5th April 2018)

Barcelona vs Roma (5th April 2018)

Second Leg Match-Ups

Manchester City vs Liverpool (11th April 2018)

Roma vs Barcelona (11th April 2018)

Bayern Munich vs Sevilla (12th April 2018)

Real Madrid vs Juventus (12th April 2018)

Here are some Quarter-final predictions For The Champions League:

Juventus vs Real Madrid

Last year's competition finalist will play each other in the quarter-final this time around. Juventus have their chance for revenge. Juventus have been having a great time in Serie A with some stellar performances all around.

They currently lead the pack with 74 points after 28 games (as of writing this).

Napoli is following closely on their heels with 70 points and Juventus can't afford any slip-ups if they are to win the domestic League. Real Madrid has had a tough domestic league this year with a below average season. They're currently languishing in 3rd place with 57 points 15 places off the top.

their Champions League performances have been another story with some great performances from the team and in particular Christiano Ronaldo when it counted. I expect this to be a tough contest.

Gianluigi Buffon who turned 40 this year will be fighting hard to sign out of football by winning this trophy. But he knows that the competition is tough as are all games in the champions league.

He was quoted as saying "It will be the team most determined to win that will progress to the next round" when speaking about their upcoming clash with Real Madrid. For purely emotional reasons I would prefer if Juventus would win the entire competition, however, I have a feeling over the two legs Real Madrid will edge it.

Prediction: Real Madrid progresses to the next round.

Sevilla vs Bayern Munich

Sevilla shocked Manchester United and the world when they beat the red devils at Old Trafford a week ago. They've gotten away so far with sheer grit and determination alone. Although very important traits I don't think they have the quality or star power to do to Bayern Munich what they did to Manchester United.

They're currently in 5th spot in their domestic league a mighty 28 point behind league leaders Barcelona. With very little to play for they will give this game against Bayern all they have.

Bayern Munich, on the other hand, is having a breeze in their domestic competition. 20 points ahead of their nearest rivals with 26 games gone they can afford to rest their stars before any special games such as the champions league. Bayern should sail comfortably through to the next round.

Prediction: Bayern Munich progresses to the next round.

Liverpool vs Manchester City

Much was expected from the English sides with there being five teams in the knockout stages for the first time in a while. Now only 2 remain and as faith would have it, they've been pitted against each other.

Liverpool plays the first leg at home at Anfield where they really need to turn up if they hope to get something from the game.

They've been in a rich vein of form with Mohammed Salah really providing the impetus to the team when needed. Liverpool in 4th place will be facing league leaders Manchester City (for the first time in the champions league) who are coasting away to the premier league.

Manchester City will be in a mentally and physically better condition when they face Liverpool because the league is as good as won. Liverpool has to battle on multiple fronts to ensure they keep their spot in the champions league for next year. They cannot afford to slip up in the league and they sure can't afford to slip up during their match against City's ruthless free-scoring side.

Prediction: Manchester City progresses to the next round.

Barcelona vs Roma

Spanish leaders Barcelona will face Italian side Roma for the first leg of their champions league quarter-final matchup. This might be the safest match to call with no one giving Roma a chance to get past Barcelona in this fight. The sheer quality of the Barcelona players that include Messi, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, Dembele and the tactical nuances of their coach Ernesto Valverde would be too much for Roma to handle. To have any chance against Barcelona, Roma needs to take the game to them in both rounds. Roma doesn't have much to play for domestically and upsetting Barca would give them a real shot in the arm for the rest of the Italian season.

Prediction: Barcelona progresses to the next round.

What do you think about my predictions? Let me know your thoughts about the same.