More frustration for Arsenal and defeats for Real Madrid and Liverpool

The Champions League returns tonight and we are down to the final eight teams slugging it out to be crowned Europe’s best.

The English representation was trimmed from six to two in a brutal round of 16 that saw Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham all crash out.

Arsenal and Liverpool remain although neither side is in good form.

Here, we look at the quarter-final ties and offer our Champions League predictions.

TUESDAY

Sporting CP v Arsenal (8pm)
On paper, Arsenal ought to win this tie over two legs but the first game in Lisbon comes at a delicate time for Mikel Arteta and his players. Having seen their quadruple hopes dashed by the EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester City, they are now down to just two possible trophies following the weekend exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Championship side Southampton. Arteta rotated his squad at St Mary’s and it backfired spectacularly. The Spaniard has done so much right at the Emirates but until the trophy cabinet is replenished question marks will remain.
Sporting displayed their power at home in the last round. Having lost the away leg 3-0 to Bodo/Glimt, they blew the Norwegians away in the return, winning 5-0 after extra-time.
If Arsenal are still fragile, Sporting are good enough to exploit it.
Prediction: Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal

Real Madrid v Bayern Munich (8pm)
Another side smarting from a weekend setback are Real Madrid. Saturday’s last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Real Mallorca put a major dent in their hopes of regaining the Liga crown from Barcelona and the trophy is now the Catalans’ to lose.
Traditionally, Madrid are a different animal in Europe and they will need to be at their best tonight. There may be a return to the starting XI for Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao while Kylian Mbappe will have to be at his deadliest if Madrid are to take a lead back to Germany.
Bayern have been relentless this season, a point demonstrated again on Saturday. Trailing 2-1 heading into injury-time at Freiburg, Vincent Kompany’s men scored twice to win 3-2 and maintain their nine-point lead over Dortmund at the summit.
The fitness of Harry Kane is key with a decision over his availability set to be made just prior to kick-off. We think he plays and Bayern win.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich

WEDNESDAY

Barcelona v Atletico Madrid (8pm)
Just four days after clashing in La Liga, these two teams slug it out once again. Having also met in the semis of the Copa del Rey, they will be sick of the sight of each other. 
Barca won at the weekend, gaining a psychological edge thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s fortuitous late goal at the Metropolitano. Atleti will also have nightmares about their last trip to Camp Nou, when they were beaten 3-0 but still progressed to the Copa final after winning the first game 4-0.
Diego Simeone will need to put on a defensive clinic for his team to secure a good result in Catalonia and it could be all the dark arts are utilised.
We think Barca win but the tie will remain very much alive.
Prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Atletico Madrid

Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool (8pm)
If Liverpool perform the way they did against Manchester City at the weekend, then this tie will be over by 10pm tomorrow night. Arne Slot’s men were abject at the Etihad, losing 4-0 in the FA Cup, and giving a second-half display that called the Dutchman’s future at Anfield into question. A trip to the Parc des Princes is not a game the Merseysiders would want straight away and they will have to tighten up defensively to keep the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue quiet.
The Parisians have struggled to replicate their devastating form of last season but they seem to be clicking at the right time with four wins on the trot, including convincing home and away victories over Chelsea in the previous round.
Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Liverpool