BAYERN MUNICH v JUVENTUS
With both of these teams all but confirmed as domestic champions for 2013, their key motivation for the remainder of the season now lies in this competition. That is especially true for Bayern, who are still haunted by their choking in last year's final at their own stadium. The Bundesliga giants hit the headlines over the weekend for their 9-2 demolition job on Hamburg, a result that underlines just how emphatic their status as Germany's current number one is. Question marks remain, though, about their bottle in big European games after they contrived to throw away the two-goal lead they built up against Arsenal and were left thanking the away goal rule to see them through. Juventus, meanwhile, come into this tie somewhat under the radar. They eased past Celtic in the last 16 and will retain their Serie A crown. They are also unfancied by the bookies, not a familiar situation for the club, but it's one that they could turn to their advantage. Anyone who has tracked their progress over the last couple of years will have noticed a team that is defensively sound and rarely susceptible to defeat. That reliability is swaying me towards Juve to go through, and they might even be worth a punt as a dark horse to win the tournament outright.
PSG v BARCELONA
It's a clash of Parisien nouveau riche against the Catalan artisans. PSG had a large volume to pressure to cope with at the start of their first season in the Champions League since 2004-05, but so far they seem to have handled it pretty well. However there were signs that they still have plenty of room for improvement after a tense battle to overcome Valencia in the last 16. They will be boosted by the earlier than originally scheduled return of talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was suspended for the second leg against Valencia after picking up a reckless red card in the Mestalla. The Swedish target man will be up against one of his (many) former clubs in Barcelona, who are aiming for a third European crown in five seasons. Tito Vilanova's side continue to dazzle spectators worldwide and proved last month that they can win when the heat is on, turning over a 2-0 first leg deficit to batter AC Milan at the Nou Camp. There was also another addition to the Lionel Messi Book of Records last weekend when the heavenly Argentine scored in his 19th consecutive league game to complete a full set of La Liga clubs in one sequence. PSG's defence will never have faced a challenge quite like taking on the reigning Ballon D'Or winner and it's very hard to forecast any outcome other than a Barcelona victory.
MALAGA v BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Even as recently as two years ago it would have been a shock to see this as a Champions League quarter-final, but that is a testament to the progress that these clubs have made since then. Malaga have defied their debts to reach the last eight in their debut season in this tournament and will be particularly keen to enjoy their stay in Europe as they have been refused entry into continental action for next season due to their parlous financial state. That hasn't stopped them from being a thrilling side to watch, with Isco and Eliseu fast becoming household names. Coach Manuel Pellegrini has also revived the fortunes of Roque Santa Cruz, whose career was in a tailspin since his move to Manchester City. Borussia Dortmund won't make it a third league title in a row but they have compensated for that with a splendid season in Europe. Jurgen Klopp's young charges have been a magnificient watch in this competition, memorably toying with Real Madrid in the group stages. This one is not easy to call, with both clubs riding the crest of a wave, but I might just go with Dortmund, who seem to have that bit more about their team as a whole. That's even taking into consideration the foolishness of writing off Malaga in my group stage preview.
REAL MADRID v GALATASARAY
This is a repeat of the 2001 quarter-final, the only previous occasion that Galatasaray have made it this far. The Turks are now the competition's outsiders, and it's a status that they will love. Their profile has been boosted by the January arrivals of previous Champions League winners Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder, but the main reason for their surprise progress in the tournament has been the free-scoring Burak Yilmaz. While Fatih Terim's men have done remarkably well to make it this far, it's worth noting that they came second in a group that also contained Braga and CFR Cluj and then got drawn against the most beatable of the group winners in Schalke 04. Now they face a true challenge in Real Madrid, who remain one of the favourites to win the competition. With speculation growing by the week that Jose Mourinho will be leaving the Bernabeu at the end of the season, and their bid to retain La Liga set to fall short, their campaign hinges on winning a 10th European Cup. They showed in the last 16 that they have the mental fortitude to do so after coming from behind to beat Manchester United, even if that tie swung on a harsh red card for Nani, ironically being dished out by Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir. He won't be there to help them in this match-up, but Real Madrid ought to be able to progress to a third semi-final in a row without significant input from the officials.
EUROPA LEAGUE - The competition England has suddenly fallen in love with
BENFICA v NEWCASTLE
Benfica are in European competition in April for the fourth season in a row and once more come up against English opponents, having played quarter-finals against Liverpool in 2010 and Chelsea last year. They currently sit top of the Portuguese league ahead of great rivals FC Porto and, in true Benfica fashion, have moulded another young gem in Nicolas Gaitan. By contrast, Newcastle are in freefall and their progress to the last eight has been a surprise. Alan Pardew's men face a relegation battle at home and were listless against Man City on Saturday. There could be a kick in them yet but you would have to fancy the Portuguese club to take this one.
CHELSEA v RUBIN KAZAN
It's not the European competition that Chelsea wanted to be in but at least they still have a chance to win continental silverware for the second year in a row. Interim boss Rafael Benitez is also taking the Europa League seriously and he has won the UEFA Cup as Valencia manager in 2004. Their stop-start campaign hit another stumble, though, in the weekend's defeat at Southampton, a result that leaves them contemplating the possibility of being in this tournament from the outset next season. Rubin have been slowly building a real profile for themselves in Europe in recent years and they boast a prolific playmaker in Gokdeniz Karadeniz. The rest of the side is workmanlike, though, and if Chelsea click like we know they can, they should have too much for the Russians.
FENERBAHCE v LAZIO
Galatasaray aren't the only Turkish club flying the star and crescent flag in Europe. Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce are still going strong in the Europa League and they won't be easy pickings for anybody. Liverpool fans will know that Fener is a popular destination with ex-Reds, with Dirk Kuyt and Raul Meireles both now lining out in yellow and blue. Lazio, who like their opponents have a reputation for bloodthirsty-cum-violent support, are rebuilding after huge debts crippled the club for most of the past decade. Veteran striker Miroslav Klose is still proving to be an adept goalscorer and he is supported by younger midfield prospects. There doesn't appear to be much between the sides; I've a narrow fancy for Fenerbahce owing to their fantastic home record.
TOTTENHAM v BASEL
Tottenham beware, Basel has been a synonym for graveyard for English teams in Europe in the past. Just ask Liverpool and Man United. Spurs, though, have taken a real interest in the Europa League under Andre Villas Boas, who won the trophy as manager of FC Porto in 2011, and have one of the best players in the continent right now in Gareth Bale. The only worry is that they can take their eye off the ball on occasion, as witnessed in a couple of recent Premier League defeats and their hair's breath escape against Inter Milan, and they are also trying to cope with a heated battle for a Champions League position as the season draws to a close. Basel, as mentioned above, have a habit of taking big scalps and they saw off Zenit St. Petersburg in the previous round. The goalscoring prowess of Marco Streller and the verve of midfielder Valentin Stocker will give the Tottenham defence plenty to think about. This promises to be an entertaining tie, one which Spurs ought to come through if they are on song and don't fall into the trap of taking Basel lightly.
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