Champions League power rankings as Premier League pair battle Europe's elite
The Champions League is back this week as the tournament nears the business end, with just eight teams still in contention to win European football's most prestigious prize.
Just two Premier League sides remain, with Manchester City thumping RB Leipzig in their last-16 clash and Chelsea knocking out Borussia Dortmund, along with a host of other European giants.
But before we get into the power rankings, a reminder that they are NOT necessarily a rank of the best teams in Europe right now, but more where they all stand in relation to the draw and their probability of progression to the semi-finals.
So here's a reminder of the quarter-final ties:
Benfica vs Inter Milan
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Manchester City vs Bayern Munich
Real Madrid vs Chelsea
AC Milan vs Napoli
Let the ranking commence!
8. Inter Milan
The Serie A giants are hoping to win a fourth Champions League trophy this year, but face a tough test in the form of Roger Schimdt's Benfica.
Inter have not won any of their last six games in all competitions and currently sit fifth in Serie A, 23 points behind league leaders Napoli.
While they have the players and the pedigree to cause free-scoring Benfica problems, with the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Romelu Lukaku and Andre Onana in their ranks, they are not in great form at the moment and could struggle against Benfica.
Olivier Giroud will be key for AC Milan (AFP via Getty Images)7. AC Milan
Despite breaking a decade-long drought last season by winning their first Serie A trophy since 2011, Milan have fallen off this year and sit just one point above local rivals Inter in fourth.
They do have plenty of firepower in their squad, including veteran forward Olivier Giroud, highly-rated Rafael Leao and Liverpool cult hero Divock Origi while Fikayo Tomori will have a key role to play at the back as Milan attempt to keep Napoli quiet.
On the strength of this season's form, Napoli are rightly strong favourites to beat Milan, but Stefano Pioli's did beat them 4-0 in the league earlier this month and will be hoping for a similar performance in Europe.
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Roger Schmidt's Benfica are enjoying a brilliant season so far (AFP via Getty Images)6. Benfica
Benfica are enjoying a brilliant season so far and go into their tie against Inter as firm favourites, with the Portuguese side currently seven points clear in their bid to win a 38th Primeira Liga title.
They finished above both PSG and Juventus in their group and have been scoring goals for fun this season, despite selling the likes of Darwin Nunez and Enzo Fernandez.
Goncalo Ramos has filled the void left by Nunez's departure and the forward will be key to their chances of progressing to the semi-finals.
Chelsea interim boss Frank Lampard (Getty Images)5. Chelsea
Frank Lampard's side will enter their quarter-final clash against Real Madrid knowing they need to win the Champions League if they are to have any chance of featuring in the competition next season.
However, they have not won any of their last four games and sacked manager Graham Potter earlier this month following a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa.
Despite losing 1-0 to Wolves in Lampard's first game as interim boss, Chelsea do still have plenty of quality in their squad to cause Real Madrid problems. But given their struggles this season it feels like too big of an ask.
Victor Osimhen is an injury doubt for Napoli (Marco Canoniero/REX/Shutterstock)4. Napoli
Given they are 16 points clear at the top of Serie A, Napoli are clear favourites heading into their quarter-final clash with Milan.
Osimhen has been outstanding up front for manager Luciano Spalleti, but is an injury doubt for this fixture while the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kim Min-jae have all impressed since joining the club in the summer.
Despite Napoli's great success so far this season, they were beaten 4-0 by Milan in the league earlier this month and will be desperate to avoid a repeat.
New Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel (S. Mellar/FC Bayern via Getty Images)3. Bayern Munich
The German giants are set for a tough challenge in the quarter-finals, having been drawn against Manchester City, but did dispatch a star-studded PSG side in the last round.
New boss Thomas Tuchel will surely be relishing the chance to face City again, having memorably got one over on him when his Chelsea side won the 2021 edition of the Champions League by beating City 1-0 in the final.
Should they best City, Bayern will be heavily fancied to go on and lift the trophy for the seventh time.
Real Madrid have great Champions League pedigree (AFP via Getty Images)2. Real Madrid
Despite being 12 points behind rivals Barcelona in the La Liga title race, Madrid's pedigree in the Champions League is virtually unmatched.
They are always strong favourites to win the tournament each year and will be looking to pile more misery on a misfiring Chelsea side in their quarter-final clash.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is desperate to win the Champions League (Getty Images)1. Manchester City
Although Champions League glory has eluded them up until this point, City are the favourites with most bookmakers to win the tournament this year.
Despite being handed a tough quarter-final clash against Bayern, City will be hoping star man Kevin de Bruyne can get back to his best and that Erling Haaland can continue banging in the goals, with the forward currently the Champions League's top goalscorer.
If they are at their best, City could finally end their Champions League hoodoo.
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