As we head towards the final moves of what has been another compelling season, City fans will be on the edge of their seats to see just how much more silverware can be added to the trophy cabinet this year. You’ve got to be in it to win it, and the team remains in contention for three more trophies at this stage.
Of course, the FA Cup and Premier League title are vitally important, but for many, it is European glory that is most important of all. A first ever UEFA Champions League trophy is what every City fan is truly dreaming about. Let’s take a look at who and what stands in the way by assessing the form and prospects of all eight quarter finalists.
City vs. Tottenham
There are four Premier League teams through to the quarters, but this fixture is the only one of the draw that pairs two of them together. For City, it is certainly familiar opposition, and the teams will face each other three times in less than two weeks, thanks to a Premier League match that takes place immediately after the two legs of the quarter final. Still, the consensus is that City will be too powerful and all the football betting odds by the bookies listed at www.bestbettingsites.co.uk has Spurs as the rank outsiders at around the 7/2 mark, with City odds on to proceed to the semis.
United vs Barcelona
Manchester United looks like a different team in the latter part of the season, and after that sensational win over PSG, anything is possible. An all-Manchester showdown would be something to relish, but there is a difference between possible and probable. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have an even tougher challenge in the quarter finals, facing a Barcelona team that is at the top of its game.
Lionel Messi looked at his clinical best as he took Lyon apart in the last leg, and the bookmakers agree that Barca are even money favourites to proceed.
Ajax vs Juventus
It’s always great to be able to sit back, relax and enjoy a game with an impartial eye, and this is going to be a quarter final that City fans can relish in exactly that spirit. Ajax vs Juventus sounds like an old-school clash from the 80s or 90s, and while Juventus are, of course, the bookies’ favourites, but don’t rule out Ajax. This is the quarter final that has the most potential for an upset, particularly if Ronaldo is not at his best.
Liverpool vs Porto
The looming danger from Merseyside has been a constant one for City fans this season, and it is just as haunting a presence in Europe. Liverpool had little trouble pushing aside an off-colour looking Bayern Munich in the previous round, and while Porto have worked miracles to get this far, it is hard to envisage them presenting any real challenge in the quarters.