2014/15 Champions League: Quarter-finals predictions - Who will go through?
The draw for the quarter-finals of the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League has put forward some mouth-watering clashes. The pick of the games has to be the Madrid derby as Atletico Madrid take on Real Madrid in a repeat of last year's final. The two sides that knocked the Barclays Premier League's top two in the Round of 16 will face off as Paris Saint-Germain take on Barcelona. While Juventus will be wary of not making the same mistake Arsenal did by taking AS Monaco lightly, Bayern Munich will be relatively pleased with their clash against Porto. Will there be any upsets? Read on to find out about where the ties will be won and lost, and who is most likely to progress to the semi-finals.
#1 Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid
When the draw for the quarter-finals was taking place, the last team that Real Madrid would have wanted is Atlético. Real are without a win in their six encounters against their Madrid neighbours this season and lost their most recent duel 4-0 in a game in which they were second-best from start to finish.
Diego Simeone's side seem to have found a way to tame the all-conquering Real beast. Carlo Ancelotti's side lost to Schalke at home and only narrowly made it to the last-eight. Although the return of Luka Modric will help, it is unlikely to be enough to stop their slide if the defence fails to turn out.
With neither side particularly wanting to go all guns blazing in the first leg, the game will suit Atlético who will do enough to win a tight game by a solitary goal. The second leg at the Bernabeu will mostly be a winner takes all battle to the end. But given Real Madrid's lack of defensive discipline, expect Simeone's side to take full advantage like they did in February to score enough to go through on away goals.
Prediction: Home wins in both legs, but the reigning champions to be knocked out on away goals.
Aggregate Score Prediction: Atlético Madrid 4-4 Real Madrid