UEFA Champions League Matchday 4: Bold Predictions That Could Change Everything

What the Champions League round of 16 lacked in competitive balance, it more than compensated for with an abundance of goals.

Defenses were broken down a staggering 68 times across 16 matches, averaging 4.25 goals per game, and those who progressed to the quarterfinals did so with flair—for the most part. Now, eight clubs are battling for the most prestigious trophy in European football, with the remaining contenders a mix of established powerhouses, rising forces, and relative newcomers.

The next two weeks promise to be captivating, with the action kicking off on Tuesday evening. Here's how Sports Illustrated forecasts the first two quarterfinal first legs will unfold.

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Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich

No two clubs have clashed more often in the Champions League than Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, who will meet for the 29th time on Tuesday.

The most decorated sides in Spanish and German football have combined for 21 European titles, and Bayern would surely have added a few more to their collection had they not repeatedly run into Los Blancos over the past decade or so.

Madrid have triumphed in each of the four previous knockout encounters against the Bavarian giants, remaining unbeaten across nine meetings.

Their ability to elevate their game in this tournament was on display once again in the last round, as they comfortably dispatched favored Manchester City. However, Madrid may need to reach another level to get past this version of Bayern. Vincent Kompany's Bundesliga pace-setters netted their 100th league goal of the campaign at the weekend and have suffered just one defeat in this competition.

Tuesday's visitors put 10 goals past Atalanta across two legs in the round of 16 and will be eager to claim their first victory at the Santiago Bernabéu since 2001.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2–1 Bayern Munich

Sporting CP vs. Arsenal

Kick-off time: 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT

This fixture undoubtedly lacks the marquee appeal of its Tuesday evening counterpart, with neutral fans likely far more drawn to the drama unfolding in the Spanish capital than in Lisbon.

It appeared Arsenal would be heading to the Arctic Circle this week after Bodø/Glimt hammered Sporting CP 3–0 in the first leg of their round of 16 tie. Yet the Portuguese club mounted a remarkable comeback in the second leg on home turf, replicating Bodø's margin in 90 minutes before adding two more in extra time to advance.

They are appearing in the quarterfinals of this competition for the first time since its 1992 reformation, while Arsenal have reached this stage in three consecutive seasons.

The Gunners appear to have a relatively straightforward route to the semifinals, but arrive at this match on the back of back-to-back losses in domestic cup competitions. As a result, they are no longer chasing an unprecedented quadruple, but instead targeting a Premier League and Champions League double.

Prediction: Sporting CP 1–1 Arsenal

Matchday 4/7 Predictions