Well yesterday was the draw for the Champions league last 8 and included 3 English teams. The 8 remaining teams now know their possible route right to the final itself. The Final this year is on May 28th which means teams in the final will have approximately 4 to 6 weeks off before the beginning of pre-season training. This I don't think is a problem as todays professionals are highly paid and well looked after and will obviously want to be involved in the latter stages of competitions.

There are a few interesting ties in this seasons quarters and I am always of the opinion that at this stage it doesn't matter who you play as there are no easy ties and you have to play the best sometime. If you are at this stage thinking I really hope we don't draw them because they are scary then perhaps your team doesn't deserve to be there.

Quarter Final Draw and predictions
Real Madrid V Tottenham Hotspur - Spurs to win, Should be a great tie, both fantastic going forward and a bit suspect at the back
Chelsea V Manchester United - Manchester United to win, Chelsea got lucky with some very dodgy reffing decisions last time these teams met. Wont happen enough times for them over the 2 legs.
Barcelona V Shakhtar Donetsk - Barcelona to win, Really can't see a surprise here
Inter Milan V Schalke - Inter Milan to win, Inter despite Benitez doing his usual best to make the club rubbish earlier this season will be too strong for Schalke.

Semi Final Draw
Inter Milan or Schalke V Chelsea or Manchester United
Real Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur V Barcelona or Shakhtar Donetsk

Spurs have a tough ask to play both Spanish Giants, I personally think Spurs might just edge it over the 2 legs. If Chelsea don't have a dodgy ref on their side again Man United will dispose of them without too much trouble. Thankfully Martin Atkinson isn't allowed to ref this game.

There was also the draw for the last 8 and onwards of the Europa League. Sadly the ineptitude of the English clubs means there is no English, or British for that matter, representation in that competition. For Liverpool this is another disappointment in a disappointing season which leaves them with just 9 games left in the league to concentrate on and the very likely prospect of no European football at Anfield next season. Currently 6 points behind Spurs in 5th and played a game more they will need Spurs to have a big slip up. Their only other route would have been if the Cups go to the teams in the top 4. The league cup went to Birmingham and even if Manchester United or City win the FA cup the runner up would then be Stoke or Bolton.

For city its another underline on their season of failure. City fans may say finishing top 4 is a good season but I don't buy this with the amount they have spent these last few years. They have 10 or 11 games left this season to guarantee Champions League football next season and try and win the FA cup. Only winning the Cup, or the League, would stop their season being a failure.

Here are my predictions for this weekend
Saturday 19th March
Tottenham  3 - 1  West Ham
Aston Villa  1 - 0  Wolves
Blackburn  1 - 0  Blackpool
Man Utd  3 - 1  Bolton
Stoke City  2 - 1  Newcastle
WBA  1 - 2  Arsenal
Wigan  1 - 2  Birmingham
Everton  1 - 0  Fulham

Sunday 20th March
Sunderland  1 - 0  Liverpool
Chelsea  3 - 1  Man City