🎱 OneFootball predicts the Champions League 'Final Eight' | OneFootball

All aboard! We’re heading to Lisbon!

Well, not all aboard, only the final eight in the Champions League. Four quarter-finals, two semi-finals, and a final all in the space of 12 days. Ready?

Which team do you think will be helped by playing just one leg?

Alex Mott: I really think this new format will suit Atalanta perfectly. Over two legs, you would expect the sides’ with monumentally bigger budgets to go through, but no one else in Europe plays like the Italian’s and that element of surprise in a one-off game will suit them down to the ground.

Dan Burke: Given Pep Guardiola’s surprisingly poor record when it comes to two-legged ties, I think Manchester City might benefit from every game being like a final. If they don’t have to worry about away goals and just focus on out-scoring their opponents, this could be their year at last.

Lewis Ambrose: I can see this really suiting Atlético Madrid. Not conceding for 180 minutes is hard no matter who you are. But 90 minutes? All they’ll need to do is nick a goal to win it.

Padraig Whelan: The ‘weakest’ sides who remain. They may be underdogs in their respective ties but RB Leipzig, Lyon and Atalanta are all capable of upsetting the odds in a one-off contest.

Phil Costa: I’m with Lewis. One-legged ties are essentially tailor made for Atlético Madrid who need no motivation for the big occasions.

And will anyone flop?

AM: Despite Lionel Messi’s continued brilliance, Barcelona are going to flop once again in the Champions League. There is no way they can beat Bayern Munich on Friday, even with the game’s greatest ever player.

DB: Despite what I just said, it also wouldn’t surprise me if Manchester City end up getting knocked out by Lyon. The Ligue 1 side beat and drew with City in the group stage last season, so that tie could be trickier than it looks.

LA: Lionel Messi? Barcelona rely on his brilliance more than ever and I think dragging them through against Bayern will be too tall of an order.

PW: Paris Saint-Germain – and specifically Neymar. Cristiano Ronaldo is out and even Lionel Messi can’t inspire this Barça side to glory. The onus is on the Brazilian to lead PSG to the one they really want – but he won’t.

PC: I just find this PSG team really underwhelming. Neymar is brilliant but with Kylian Mbappé still doubtful, I don’t think they have enough goals elsewhere in the team.

Alright, give me one big prediction …

AM: Robert Lewandowski will break the single-season Champions League goal record. Cristiano Ronaldo scored 17 in 2013/14, Lewandowski is on 13.

DB: A Covid-19 outbreak will force the whole tournament to be cancelled before we even reach the final.

LA: We will see a record low number of goals per game in the final stages of the competition.

PW: PSG and Atalanta will end scoreless and need penalties to decide it. After the big build-up about the attacking stars, a dull, tense affair is on the cards.

PC: Every semi-final will go to extra-time and we’ll be treated to a goal fest in the final.

Which player will steal the show?

AM: Robert Lewandowski will score the goals but Alphonso Davies will be the key man as Bayern Munich claim the title.

DB: Robert Lewandowski will be banging the goals in left, right and centre.

LA: Kylian Mbappé has an injury and the team have had a few months of rest. It’s all set up for Neymar to inspire PSG to glory.

PW: Serge Gnabry is going to be Bayern’s main man and inspire them to end their wait for the trophy.

PC: Thiago will be putting his future to one side and absolutely boss the midfield for Bayern.

Who will we be watching in the semi-finals?

AM: Man City v Bayern Munich; Atlético Madrid v Atalanta

DB: Man City v Bayern Munich; RB Leipzig v Atalanta

LA: Man City v Bayern Munich; Atlético Madrid v PSG

PW: Man City v Bayern Munich; Atlético Madrid v Atalanta

PC: Man City v Bayern Munich; Atlético Madrid v Atalanta

And now we want your final predictions. Both teams, first goal, and the winner …

AM: Bayern Munich will beat Atlético Madrid. Serge Gnabry will score an early goal and Bayern will eventually run out comfortable winners.

DB: Bayern Munich to beat Atalanta. Josip Iličić will give Atalanta a dream start, but it won’t last.

LA: Bayern Munich v PSG. Mbappé to score the game’s only goal as PSG go on to claim the trophy.

PW: Bayern Munich will beat Atlético Madrid, breaking their hearts again as they did in 1974. It is hard to look past Robert Lewandowski to open the scoring.

PC: Bayern Munich will beat Atlético Madrid, with Thomas Müller scoring a wonderfully scrappy opening goal.