Sam Wallace Verdicts on English clubs’ European ties

Man City v B Dortmund April 6 and 14

Champions League City, Europe’s in-form side and favourites to win this competition for the first time, have avoided the bigger challenges in the last eight. Dortmund have struggled in the Bundesliga this year. Their European form has been different, and in Erling Haaland they possess an unusual player capable of causing problems. For Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham, this is the club game of their young lives.

Verdict Manchester City Winner plays Bayern Munich or PSG

Porto v Chelsea April 7 and 13

The Jose Mourinho derby offers Thomas Tuchel a decent chance of making the last four. Porto dispatched Juventus in the previous round and their European form has been good – they stopped Manchester City scoring in their 0-0 draw in the group stages. They have an experienced, mature squad including the delight that is the 38-year-old Portuguese veteran Pepe. They will sit deep and let Chelsea throw their punches. Verdict Chelsea Winner plays Real Madrid or Liverpool

Real Madrid v Liverpool April 6 and 14

A repeat of the 2018 final between two sides who have struggled at times this season. Both have been eminently beatable, and for Zinedine Zidane’s team that has come in Europe as well where they lost home and away to Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stages. For Liverpool, it is in Europe where their form has been relatively dependable. Winning a seventh Champions League is their best chance of playing in the competition next season.

Verdict Liverpool

Granada v Manchester Utd April 8 and 15

Europa League A must-win quarter-final for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who can now see a path to his first trophy as United manager. The Spanish side were part of the Pozzo family group of clubs that includes Watford but are now under Chinese ownership. They are eighth in La Liga, having finished seventh last year in their first season back after two years away. They eliminated Solskjaer’s former club Molde in the previous round.

Verdict Manchester United Winner plays Ajax or Roma

Arsenal v Slavia Prague April 8 and 15

Beset by Rangers’ allegations of the racial abuse suffered by Glen Kamara in Thursday’s second-leg game, Slavia have their third British opponents of the knockout stages. They eliminated Leicester City in the round of 32, and now have a very good chance of making the semi-final against Zagreb or Villarreal. Arsenal are the favourites, but Slavia are on a roll.

Verdict Slavia Prague Winner plays Dinamo Zagreb or Villarreal