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Champions League quarter-finals: Five things to look out for

Manchester City will look to continue their quadruple bid when they face Tottenham while Manchester United face the daunting challenge of Barcelona.

The first legs of the Champions League quarter-finals take place this week. Here, Press Association Sport looks at some talking points ahead of the games.

United's Barca challenge

Manchester United come up against Lionel Messi
Manchester United come up against Lionel Messi (Nick Potts/PA)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United pulled off a shock to beat Paris St Germain in the last round and it was probably that result that clinched the manager's job full time for the Norwegian. Performances since have tailed off slightly and the challenge ahead of them as they face Barcelona and, of course, Lionel Messi, is huge. Barca are closing in on an eighth LaLiga title in 11 years and will be keen to make the most of Real Madrid's elimination from the Champions League.

City's quadruple push

Manchester City boss Guardiola has played down quadruple talk
Manchester City boss Guardiola has played down quadruple talk (John Walton/PA)

Manchester City are the favourites for the Champions League and with good reason given their sustained excellence in four competitions this season. Manager Pep Guardiola described the quadruple as "almost impossible" at the weekend but it is actually far from inconceivable. The Champions League has been the one hurdle they have consistently failed to clear, however. Guardiola has often referred to a lack of experience on the European stage for that, although that may not be relevant in this round as they face a Premier League rival in Tottenham.

All-English clash

Manchester City will be the second visitors to Tottenham's new stadium
Manchester City will be the second visitors to Tottenham's new stadium (Nick Potts/PA)

City's tie with Spurs is an enticing one, starting with the first leg at the London club's new stadium on Tuesday. City's superiority is evident in the 16-point gap between the two sides – from second to third – in the Premier League but a big domestic advantage counted for nothing when they faced Liverpool at the same stage last year. Then City lost 3-0 in the first leg at a fevered Anfield. Spurs will hope the atmosphere at their new stadium will work in their favour, although Kevin De Bruyne has dismissed it. "I don't care about the stadium," he said.

Liverpool eyeing last four again

Liverpool go into their clash with Porto in good form
Liverpool go into their clash with Porto in good form (Martin Rickett/PA)

Last year's beaten finalists Liverpool may fancy their chances of reaching the last four again after being drawn against Porto, a side they beat 5-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie last season. The Reds' priority may be the Premier League but defeat here would represent a big missed opportunity. Porto are also without veteran defender Pepe for Tuesday's first leg at Anfield through suspension.

Ronaldo fitness

Cristiano Ronaldo has had a fitness scare in recent weeks
Cristiano Ronaldo has had a fitness scare in recent weeks (Martin Rickett/PA)

Five-time world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo has been out for the past two weeks with a thigh injury but is expected to return for Juventus' clash with Ajax. Manager Massimiliano Allegri took no risks against AC Milan at the weekend, holding the Portuguese back in a bid to ensure his fitness for Wednesday in Amsterdam. Ronaldo, who has won this competition five times, relishes such occasions.

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Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt pictured in March 2019
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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