Champions League Quarterfinal Expert Predictions

The second legs of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals are upon us this midweek, with 90 minutes, and possibly extra time, to decide who advances. On Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund welcomes Barcelona, and Aston Villa hosts PSG. Both home teams face significant deficits after losing the first legs by multiple goals, leaving them with considerable ground to make up. Wednesday will see Real Madrid attempt a remarkable comeback against Arsenal, while Inter Milan returns to San Siro to play Bayern Munich, holding a narrow one-goal lead.

Ties that remain level after both legs will proceed to 30 minutes of extra time. If the score is still tied, penalty kicks will determine the winner.

But who are the experts predicting to go through? See their picks below.

Champions League Quarterfinals Predictions

Dortmund vs. Barcelona

Player to watch: Lamine Yamal, Barcelona – It appears inevitable that Yamal will soon be considered the world`s best player. While he may not be there quite yet, it would be difficult to argue against that claim even now. His ability to outmaneuver defenders, his passing, and his striking ability are remarkable for a player who is only 17.

Man of the match: Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona – The former Borussia Dortmund striker scored twice in the first leg in Barcelona, reaffirming his status as one of the top strikers globally. He returns to Dortmund on Tuesday, where he played from 2010 to 2014 before controversially joining rivals Bayern Munich.

Prediction: FC Barcelona 3, Borussia Dortmund 1 – Barcelona, under former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick, is expected to secure another victory following their 4-0 first-leg win and should comfortably advance to the semifinals. There, they are likely to face the winner of the Inter vs. Bayern Munich match.

Aston Villa vs. PSG

Player to watch: Marquinhos, Paris Saint-Germain – Recent performances suggest PSG has a Champions League-winning attack. The question is whether their defense is strong enough to support them. While the full-backs and goalkeeper raise concerns, if their captain, Marquinhos, can provide sufficient protection, this match should be manageable.

Man of the match: Marcus Rashford, Aston Villa – Aston Villa hosts PSG, the likely French champions for 2024-25, for the quarterfinal second leg after a 3-1 first-leg defeat. Marcus Rashford, formerly of Manchester United, has a significant opportunity to demonstrate his regained form against PSG, a team that previously sought to sign him.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2, PSG 2 – Despite the first leg result, Unai Emery`s Villa demonstrated the ability to create chances and score against PSG. However, it likely won`t be enough to overturn the deficit, as Villa needs to score three goals. Should they achieve an unexpected comeback, they will face the winner of the Real Madrid vs. Arsenal tie.

Inter vs. Bayern Munich

Player to watch: Harry Kane, Bayern Munich – Harry Kane is likely to secure major silverware soon, but Bayern`s acquisition of him was aimed at Champions League success, not just Bundesliga titles. He is expected to be decisive in tight matches. Can he deliver on Wednesday night?

Man of the match: Yann Sommer, Inter – Yann Sommer, Inter`s Swiss goalkeeper, was outstanding in the first leg, contributing significantly to Inter`s 2-1 victory at Bayern Munich`s Allianz Arena. He reaffirmed his reputation as a top goalkeeper. Inter will need him at his best to avoid defeat on Wednesday, as even a draw secures their semifinal spot.

Prediction: Inter 1, Bayern Munich 1 – Bayern faces a tough challenge to overcome their first-leg loss against last year`s Champions League finalists, especially with injuries impacting their squad. Inter is favored to advance to the semifinals, potentially setting up a rematch with FC Barcelona, reminiscent of the 2009-10 season when Inter won the treble under José Mourinho.

Real Madrid vs. Arsenal

Player to watch: Jurrien Timber, Arsenal – While William Saliba received deserved praise for Arsenal`s solid defense in the first leg, Jurrien Timber, the right-back, was equally effective. If Timber can again neutralize Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid may struggle to overcome their three-goal deficit.

Man of the match: Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid – Vinicius Jr. needs to perform at his peak if Real Madrid hopes to stage a miraculous comeback against Arsenal after their 3-0 first-leg defeat. Vinicius, expected to partner with Rodrygo and possibly Kylian Mbappe in attack, has already scored seven Champions League goals this season. A defeat to Arsenal would be a significant career disappointment.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2, Arsenal 0 – If any team can recover from a deficit against Arsenal, it`s Real Madrid. However, this task appears exceptionally challenging for Carlo Ancelotti`s team due to injuries and key players playing out of position. Yet, with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, anything is possible.

Quarterfinal TV schedule

All times U.S./Eastern